CHRONIC MENINGITIS: ETIOLOGICAL PATTERNS AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN PATIENTS FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN EASTERN MAHARASHTRA

Abstract

Background: Chronic meningitis, characterized by inflammation of the meninges persisting for at least four weeks, presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to its diverse etiological agents and insidious onset. This study aims to analyze the etiological patterns and clinical characteristics of chronic meningitis in patients from a tertiary care center in Eastern Maharashtra.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over six months from May 2024 to June 2024, including 74 patients diagnosed with chronic meningitis. Data collected from medical records included demographic information, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and outcomes. The study focused on the frequency and percentage of various etiological agents, clinical symptoms, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics. Statistical analysis involved expressing continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as frequencies and percentages.

Results: The study found that Tuberculous Meningitis was the most common cause (71.6%), followed by viral meningitis (17.6%) and cryptococcal meningitis (6.8%). Clinical presentations included fever (81.1%), headache (73.0%), altered mental status (59.5%), and neck stiffness (71.6%). CSF analysis revealed increased protein levels in 67.6% of patients, low glucose levels in 45.9%, and pleocytosis in 71.6%. The gender distribution showed a higher prevalence in males (59.5%), and the majority of patients were aged 31-50 years (37.8%).

Conclusion: This study highlights Tuberculous Meningitis as the predominant cause of chronic meningitis in Eastern Maharashtra. Common clinical presentations and CSF abnormalities are crucial for diagnosis. Enhanced diagnostic facilities and targeted public health interventions are essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic meningitis in this region.