Microbiological Profile of Brain Abscess

Objective: The objective of the study was to review the microorganisms found in the brain abscess. Methods We evaluated 104 patients of brain abscess admitted at our university hospital. Apart from routine hematological investigations and chest X-ray, all patients were subjected to CT scan or MRI study. Skiagram Skull, CSF study, Ultrasonography of head through open fontanelle in infants and in patients with cranial defects and special tests for Tuberculosis, HIV were done accordingly. Microbiological evaluation of the isolate was done in all cases. Preoperative and postoperative neurological function was assessed. Observations Pus culture was positive in 54.56 percent of cases. Anaerobic organism was found in 5.77 percent while mycobacterium in 3.85 percent, fungi in 1.92 percent. Streptococcus was the commonest offending organism followed by Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas. Pseudomonas was most resistant organism. Conclusion Chronic suppurative otitis media is still a major cause of brain abscess in developing country like India, which is a benign and curable disease and should not be neglected. Streptococcus was the commonest offending organism see. Unless anaerobic cultures are done, anaerobic organisms as causative agents can be easily missed. With the advent of newer and exotic diseases the culture spectrum of brain abscess is bound to change.