Study of the effect of using of corticosteroids on the prognostic course of central nervous system infections

Authors

  • Khloud Ali Tishreen University
  • Hala Saeed Tishreen University
  • Taghreed Qadar Tishreen University

Abstract

Background: Central nervous system(CNS) infections is considered as an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide in spite of a significant development in preventive measurements and management leading to poor outcome. Adjunctive steroid therapy was used to reduce inflammation in treatment of CNS infections across various causative pathogens.

Aim:  The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of using steroids on outcome in CNS infections.

Materials and Methods: This was a Prospective Observational study involving 107 patients with a diagnosis of CNS infection with various types at Neurology unit, Internal Medicine Department, Tishreen University Hospital, Lattakia, during the period between April 2020-April 2021.

Results: Out of 107 patients, 55 were male and 52 were female. Mean age of the patients was 51.20±9.8 without significant differences according to gender. Bacterial meningitis (48.6%) and herpes simplex virus meningitis (43.9%) represented the most frequent types of CNS infections.  In bacterial meningitis, complete recovery was more frequent in patients receiving steroid (73.1% vs 57.7, p:0.06), whereas recovery with neurological complications and mortality were more frequent in patients who didn't receive steroid (30.8% vs 19.2%, p:0.01) and (11.5% vs 7.7%, p:0.08) respectively. Complete recovery was more frequent in patients with herpes simplex virus meningitis who received steroid (88% vs 86.4%, p:0.1) and mortality was higher in patients who didn't receive (9.1% vs 4%, p:0.08). In tuberculous meningitis, complete recovery was occurred in a patient who didn't receive steroid, whereas complete recovery and recovery with neurological complications were occurred in 80% and 20% respectively in patients who receive steroid. In meningitis in HIV-infected patients, complete recovery developed in a patient who didn't receive steroid with occurrence of mortality in a patient who did.     

Conclusion:  Initiation of steroids in bacterial and viral CNS infections is considered a valuable method in improving the outcome.

Author Biographies

Khloud Ali, Tishreen University

Postgraduate Student - Faculty of Human Medicine

Hala Saeed, Tishreen University

Assistant Professor - Faculty of Human Medicine

Taghreed Qadar, Tishreen University

Assistant Professor - Faculty of Human Medicine

Published

2022-07-31

How to Cite

1.
علي خ, هالة سعيد, تغريد قدار. Study of the effect of using of corticosteroids on the prognostic course of central nervous system infections. Tuj-hlth [Internet]. 2022Jul.31 [cited 2024Apr.23];44(3):441-5. Available from: https://journal.tishreen.edu.sy/index.php/hlthscnc/article/view/12479