Pyogenic brain abscesses in Qatar: A national retrospective observational study.
4 affiliations
- 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Communicable Disease Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
- 3Department of Neurosurgery, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
- 4Qatar University College of Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
Abstract
Objectives
Pyogenic brain abscess is a life-threatening intracranial infection requiring timely diagnosis and coordinated medical-surgical management. Regional data from the Gulf area remains scarce.Methods
We retrospectively analyzed demographic, clinical, microbiological, management, and outcome data from adults diagnosed with pyogenic brain abscess based on clinical presentation and neuroimaging findings at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, between 2015 and 2023. Outcomes were categorized using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) as favorable (GOS 4-5) or unfavorable (GOS 1-3).Results
Forty-eight patients were included; 41/48 (85%) were male, with a median age of 34 years. Common comorbidities and predisposing conditions included diabetes mellitus, otitis/mastoiditis, and sinusitis. A microbiological diagnosis was established in 35/48 (73%) patients. The most frequently isolated pathogens were the Streptococcus anginosus group, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Surgical intervention was performed in 38/48 (79%) patients, and 35/48 (73%) achieved a favorable outcome. In unadjusted analyses, recent neurosurgical procedures and Gram-negative infections were more frequent among patients with unfavorable outcomes. These patients had lower baseline Glasgow Coma Scale scores and more frequently presented with altered consciousness.Conclusion
In unadjusted analyses, favorable outcomes were more frequent among patients who underwent surgical intervention and those presenting with preserved consciousness. However, causality cannot be inferred.
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BibTeX
@article{zara2026pyogenic,
title = {{Pyogenic brain abscesses in Qatar: A national retrospective observational study.}},
author = {Sabeen Zara and Sara Al Balushi and Junais Koleri and Afia Aziz and Soubiya Ansari and Mu'ath Hussein and Aseel H Alzibdeh and Ahmed Saleh and Waqar Munir and Ali S Omrani and Muna Al Maslamani},
journal = {IJID regions},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101035},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927205},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pyogenic brain abscesses in Qatar: A national retrospective observational study.
AU - Sabeen Zara
AU - Sara Al Balushi
AU - Junais Koleri
AU - Afia Aziz
AU - Soubiya Ansari
AU - Mu'ath Hussein
AU - Aseel H Alzibdeh
AU - Ahmed Saleh
AU - Waqar Munir
AU - Ali S Omrani
AU - Muna Al Maslamani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - IJID regions
DO - 10.1016/j.ijregi.2026.101035
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927205
AB - Objectives Pyogenic brain abscess is a life-threatening intracranial infection requiring timely diagnosis and coordinated medical-surgical management. Regional data from the Gulf area remains scarce.Methods We retrospectively analyzed demographic, clinical, microbiological, management, and outcome data from adults diagnosed with pyogenic brain abscess based on clinical presentation and neuroimaging findings at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, between 2015 and 2023. Outcomes were categorized using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) as favorable (GOS 4-5) or unfavorable (GOS 1-3).Results Forty-eight patients were included; 41/48 (85%) were male, with a median age of 34 years. Common comorbidities and predisposing conditions included diabetes mellitus, otitis/mastoiditis, and sinusitis. A microbiological diagnosis was established in 35/48 (73%) patients. The most frequently isolated pathogens were the Streptococcus anginosus group, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Surgical intervention was performed in 38/48 (79%) patients, and 35/48 (73%) achieved a favorable outcome. In unadjusted analyses, recent neurosurgical procedures and Gram-negative infections were more frequent among patients with unfavorable outcomes. These patients had lower baseline Glasgow Coma Scale scores and more frequently presented with altered consciousness.Conclusion In unadjusted analyses, favorable outcomes were more frequent among patients who underwent surgical intervention and those presenting with preserved consciousness. However, causality cannot be inferred.
SN - 2772-7076
ER -