Study of bacterial air pollution in an arid region of Africa affected by cerebrospinal meningitis

Abstract

In 1968 and 1969, a study of the prevalence of airborne bacteria in different types of dwelling was carried out in Upper Volta and in Mali in order to determine the relationship between bacterial pollution of the air and the spread of cerebrospinal meningitis.In homes and schools in Upper Volta the total number of airborne bacteria, including those of oral origin, was found to be much higher during the dry season, when epidemics of cerebrospinal meningitis occur, than in the rainy periods.The study in Mali was carried out during an epidemic of cerebrospinal meningitis; two districts of the city of Bamako were chosen, those with the highest and lowest rates of infection. The number of airborne bacteria in the district of high incidence was found to be 10 times that in the district of low incidence.The study has shown that high counts of airborne bacteria and organisms of buccal origin are indicative of conditions that favour the spread of cerebrospinal meningitis. Sanitary measures to reduce the number of airborne bacteria would therefore be a useful means of combating epidemics of cerebrospinal meningitis in Africa.