Bibliometric analysis of bacterial central nervous system infection research in Southeast Asia

Background: The status of research and scientific outputs with regards to bacterial central nervous system (CNS) infection in southeast Asia (SEA) is unknown. This study aimed to analyze and compare bacterial CNS infection research output of SEA countries in terms of bibliometric indices. Methods: The major electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, CENTRAL, and WPRIM) were searched for studies on bacterial CNS infection in SEA until August 31, 2020. Frequencies, percentages and Spearman's rho correlations were used. Results: There was a total of 648 unique studies on bacterial CNS infection in SEA and it was 657 when double-counted (collaborative studies between SEA countries). Thailand (n=148, 22.5%) and Vietnam (n=142, 21.6%) had the highest number of publications. The most common type of research publication was the case report / case series (n=160, 24.7%). Tuberculous meningitis/tuberculoma (n=176, 26.7%) was the most common topic. This study showed that the %GDP for research and development (R&D) was associated with a higher number of research output. However, the GDP per capita was not associated with any of the bibliometric indices. The total number of neurologists was associated with all of the bibliometric analysis. Conclusion: Bacterial CNS infection research output in SEA countries was low in terms of quantity. The %GDP for R&D was associated with the number of research publications. The total number of neurologists was associated with all of the bibliometric indices.

Automated summary

The research output on bacterial central nervous system infection in Southeast Asian countries was found to be low in quantity, with Thailand and Vietnam having the highest number of publications. Tuberculous meningitis/tuberculoma was the most common research topic. The percentage of GDP for research and development was associated with the number of research publications.