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Vaccine 2019 Apr 13. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

The University of Adelaide, Adelaide Medical School, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; The University of Adelaide, The Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; The University of Adelaide, School of Public Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit (VIRTU), Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is uncommon but still causes considerable public health burden due to its high mortality and morbidity. This review aims to quantitatively synthesise all published evidence pertinent to mortality caused by IMD and assess the effect of age and serogroup on case fatality rates (CFRs).

Methods: The PubMed and Embase databases, and the Cochrane Library were searched. Read More

Euro Surveill 2019 Apr;24(14)

Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester, United Kingdom.

BackgroundThe total incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Europe has been declining in recent years; however, a rising incidence due to serogroup W (MenW), predominantly sequence type 11 (ST-11), clonal complex 11 (cc11), was reported in some European countries.AimThe aim of this study was to compile the most recent laboratory surveillance data on MenW IMD from several European countries to assess recent trends in Europe.MethodsIn this observational, retrospective study, IMD surveillance data collected from 2013-17 by national reference laboratories and surveillance units from 13 European countries were analysed using descriptive statistics. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2019 Mar 7;6(3):ofz059. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Infectious Diseases Service and Microbiology Service, Institut d'Investigació Biomédica de Bellvitge-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.

Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), sepsis and/or meningitis continues to be a public health problem, with mortality rates ranging from 5% to 16%. The aim of our study was to further knowledge about IMD with a large series of cases occurring over a long period of time, in a cohort with a high percentage of adult patients.

Methods: Observational cohort study of patients with IMD between 1977 hand 2013 at our hospital, comparing patients with only sepsis and those with meningitis and several degrees of sepsis. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 Apr 4;116(17):8481-8486. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Pathogenesis of Vascular Infections, Department of Cell Biology and Infection, Institut Pasteur, INSERM, 75015 Paris, France;

Despite the availability of antibiotics and vaccines, remains a major cause of meningitis and sepsis in humans. Due to its extracellular lifestyle, bacterial adhesion to host cells constitutes an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we present a high-throughput microscopy-based approach that allowed the identification of compounds able to decrease type IV pilus-mediated interaction of bacteria with endothelial cells in the absence of bacterial or host cell toxicity. Read More

Curr Opin Pediatr 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Adolescent providers have a unique opportunity to interface with adolescents during a transformative time period. Optimizing vaccinations may protect teens against preventable but potentially deadly diseases. Healthcare providers must be aware of the evolving vaccination data and up-to-date recommendations for vaccinations. Read More

J Glob Health 2019 Jun;9(1):010411

Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, USA.

Background: Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria , leading to substantial mortality and severe morbidity; with serogroups A, B, C, W135, X and Y most significant in causing disease. An outbreak is defined as multiple cases of the same serogroup occurring in a population over a short time-period. A systematic review was performed to gain insight into outbreaks of meningococcal disease and to describe the temporal pattern over the last 50 years in non-African countries. Read More

EBioMedicine 2019 Mar 29. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

EHESP French School of Public Health, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Pediatr Neonatol 2019 Feb 22. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; Pediatric Division, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Pediatric Research Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Electronic address:

Background: The evaluation of children with purpuric rash and fever (PRF) is controversial. Although many of them have viral infections, on occasion such patients may be infected with Neisseria meningitidis. We described all children aged 0-18 years with PRF in southern Israel during the period 2005 ̶ 2016 and compared their microbiologic, laboratory, clinical and outcome characteristics in relation to various etiologies of this syndrome. Read More

Innate Immun 2019 Apr;25(3):158-167

3 Department of Clinical Chemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Norway.

Neisseria meningitidis infections in sub-Saharan Africa usually present with distinct symptoms of meningitis but very rarely as fulminant septicemia when reaching hospitals. In Europe, development of persistent meningococcal shock and multiple organ failure occurs in up to 30% of patients and is associated with a bacterial load of >10/ml plasma or serum. We have prospectively studied 27 Ethiopian patients with meningococcal infection as diagnosed and quantified with real-time PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. Read More

Ther Adv Infect Dis 2019 Jan-Dec;6:2049936119832274. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Autonomous University of Baja-California, Campus ECISALUD, Tijuana, Baja-California, Mexico.

Introduction: In Mexico, is considered to be a rare cause of bacterial meningitis (BM), however, one national publication using active surveillance has suggested the opposite. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is also considered to be infrequent in young infants as a cause of BM in central Mexico. vaccination using the 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) started in our region in May 2012. Read More

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2019 Apr;38(4):416-418

From the Primary Immunodeficiencies Unit, Hospital Dona Estefânia- CHLC, EPE.

Although bacterial meningitis is a rare presentation of a congenital immunodeficiency, invasive meningococcal disease is classically associated with complement deficiencies. We report a patient from a consanguineous kindred presenting with an invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B meningococcus that revealed an underlying C5 deficiency caused by a novel mutation in the C5 gene. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1969:17-31

Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris Cedex, France.

Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a leading cause of invasive infections associated with high mortality and morbidity, notably meningitis and septicemia. Etiological rapid diagnosis is key for the preventive management of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). However, conventional methods for diagnosis are time-consuming and could be hampered by the difficulties in culturing the isolates from clinical specimens especially due to early antibiotic treatment. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1969:1-16

Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) is a member of the normal nasopharyngeal microbiome in healthy individuals, but can cause septicemia and meningitis in susceptible individuals. In this chapter we provide an overview of the disease caused by N. meningitidis and the schemes used to type the meningococcus. Read More

Vaccines (Basel) 2019 Mar 14;7(1). Epub 2019 Mar 14.

HIV/STI Unit, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium.

Available evidence suggests MeNZB™ is not associated with a durable effect against . Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Mar 12;19(1):252. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Tenon University Hospital, Medico-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, 4 Rue de la Chine, Paris, 75020, France.

Background: During fulminant meningococcal septicaemia, meningococci are often observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) although the patients have frequently no meningeal symptoms. Meningococcal meningitis, by contrast, usually features clinical meningeal signs and biochemical markers of inflammation with elevated white blood cell count (pleiocytosis) in the CSF. Cases of typical symptomatic meningitis without these biochemical features are uncommon in adults. Read More

Epidemiol Infect 2019 Jan;147:e142

Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory,Temple Street Children's University Hospital,Dublin,Ireland.

We examined the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) between epidemiological year (EY) 1996/1997 and EY2015/2016. Over the 20 EYs, 3707 cases were reported with annual incidence rates per 100 000 peaking at 11.6 in EY1999/2000, decreasing significantly to 1. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2019 Mar;7(5):636-641

Institute of Forensic Research, Cracow 31-033, Poland.

Background: In fatal cases of meningococcal septicemia, bacteriological diagnosis may not be straightforward due to postmortem replication and relocation of endogenic microflora. In medicolegal practice, aside from routine autopsy and histopathology, also other diagnostic methods, such as microbiological tests, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are used to examine body fluids and tissues.

Case Summary: We present the case of sudden death in a 2-year-old child. Read More

JAMA 2019 03;321(10):1014

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

J Bus Contin Emer Plan 2019 Jan;12(3):263-276

During the end of March and early April 2017, three University of Surrey students were confirmed as having contracted meningococcal B. The three cases were declared a cluster by Public Health England (PHE) and led to an urgent multi-agency response to protect 4,296 students in university residences identified as being at risk. This case study shows how the university had to arrange and communicate the need for two separate vaccinations, four weeks apart to more than 4,200 students. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 03 11;13(3):e0007077. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics and Departments of Epidemiology and Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America.

Background: Seasonal epidemics of bacterial meningitis in the African Meningitis Belt carry a high burden of disease and mortality. Reactive mass vaccination is used as a control measure during epidemics, but the time taken to gain immunity from the vaccine reduces the flexibility and effectiveness of these campaigns. Targeted reactive antibiotic prophylaxis could be used to supplement reactive mass vaccination and further reduce the incidence of meningitis, and the potential effectiveness and efficiency of these strategies should be explored. Read More

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2019 Mar 8. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Interdisziplinäre internistische Intensivstation, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.

Infections with Neisseria meningitidis are life-threatening conditions, generally presenting as meningitis. This case of a young woman who had a history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria under treatment with the complement inhibitor eculizumab had been presented with septic shock. While blood cultures were positive for Neisseria meningitidis, she showed no evidence for bacterial meningitis in the cerebrospinal fluid. Read More

EBioMedicine 2019 Mar 4;41:488-496. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Historically, the major cause of meningococcal epidemics in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa has been Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (NmA), but the incidence has been substantially reduced since the introduction of a serogroup A conjugate vaccine starting in 2010. We performed whole-genome sequencing on isolates collected post-2010 to assess their phylogenetic relationships and inter-country transmission.

Methods: A total of 716 invasive meningococcal isolates collected between 2011 and 2016 from 11 meningitis belt countries were whole-genome sequenced for molecular characterization by the three WHO Collaborating Centers for Meningitis. Read More

J Immunol Sci 2018 Jul;Suppl(2):8-14

Mother and Child Department, Faculty of Medicine, Antananarivo, Madagascar.

Background: Bacterial meningitis (BM) remains a global public health problem and most cases and deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa and especially in children less than five years old, due to a variety of factors. This study was conducted to determine the principal factors associated with death and survival of children due to BM in a typical African tertiary health facility.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study of children hospitalized for BM was conducted in the University Hospital of Tsaralalàna (CHUMET). Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 Mar;25(3):434-440

We reviewed university-based outbreaks of meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B and vaccination responses in the United States in the years following serogroup B meningococcal (MenB) vaccine availability. Ten university-based outbreaks occurred in 7 states during 2013-2018, causing a total of 39 cases and 2 deaths. Outbreaks occurred at universities with 3,600-35,000 undergraduates. Read More

IDCases 2019 5;15:e00503. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Internal Medicine, Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine/Saint Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT, USA.

Meningitis is defined as an inflammation of the protective covering of brain and spinal cord collectively called as meninges. Meningeal infection can be complicated by intraventricular empyema. There are 9 cases of intraventricular empyema described in the literature out of which only three are described to be caused by . Read More

J Immunol Sci 2018 Jul;Suppl:41-45

IVD/FRH, WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.

Background: Epidemics of meningococcal disease constitute a major public health challenge in Africa, affecting mostly the 24 countries of the meningitis belt. These epidemics led to a call for a call for a safe, effective and affordable conjugate vaccine against the major serogroup responsible for recent epidemics by leaders of the region.

Objective: This paper documents experiences with efforts at eliminating epidemic meningitis in the African Region. Read More

Ital J Pediatr 2019 Feb 13;45(1):25. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Pediatric and Infectious Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Background: Meningococcal meningitis (MM) is known to be responsible of high cost for the Public Health Administration. Aim of the work is to calculate the costs for the hospitalization of pediatric patients affected by MM.

Methods: We calculate the costs for the hospitalization of pediatric patients affected by MM in the acute phase (HAP) over a nine year period. Read More

Lancet Infect Dis 2019 Mar 10;19(3):327-336. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Background: A meningococcal group A conjugate vaccine, PsA-TT (also known as MenAfriVac), was developed with the support of the Meningitis Vaccine Project. Around 280 million individuals aged 1-29 years have been immunised across the African meningitis belt. We analysed the kinetics of vaccine-induced antibody response and assessed the possible implications for duration of protection. Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):164-168

Department of National Immunization Programme, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.

To explore acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome (AMES) surveillance in 4 China prefectures, to understand the epidemiological features and disease burden of () meningitis, () meningitis, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) meningitis and Japanese encephalitis and provide evidence for related disease prevention and control. AMES surveillance were conducted in Jinan, Shandong Province and Yichang, Hubei Province in September 2006, and in 13 districts of Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province and Guigang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in April 2007. Six hospitals in each city were selected as monitoring pilot hospitals to carry out reports of suspected cases of acute meningitis and encephalitis, case investigation, blood specimens and cerebrospinal fluid specimen collection, anti-JEV IgM antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, , and Hib culture and polymerase chain reaction detection, etc. Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):159-163

Department of National Immunization Programme, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.

To analyze the characteristics of epidemiology and () serogroups distribution for meningococcal meningitis (MM) cases in China from 2015 to 2017. The data of MM cases were collected from National Notifiable Diseases Registry System (NNDRS) and case-based MM surveillance system (MMSS) from 2015 to 2017; Demographic data are from the National Bureau of statistics. Inclusion criteria: the date of onset was January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017, the status of infectious disease report card was "final examination card", the cases are classified as "laboratory confirmed cases" and "clinical diagnostic cases", and the card data information of disease name was "Meningococcal meningitis". Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):146-152

Meningococcal meningitis is an acute, severe respiratory infectious disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Immunization with meningococcal vaccine is the most effective measure to control and prevent transmission of meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine containing meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):141-145

Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines immunization schedules vary by vaccine manufacturer, and often cause confusion in immunization practices. Based on the epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal disease, serogroup distribution of Neisseria meningitidis, and research progress on the immunogenicity and safety of meningococcal vaccines, we developed an experts' consensus on immunization with meningococcal vaccines to provide guidance for immunization providers and for centers for disease control and prevention staff. Read More

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;40(2):129-135

Meningococcal meningitis is an acute, severe respiratory infectious disease caused by . Immunization with meningococcal vaccine is the most effective measure to control and prevent transmission of meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine containing meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. Read More

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;40(2):123-128

Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines immunization schedules vary by vaccine manufacturer, and often cause confusion in immunization practices. Based on the epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal disease, serogroup distribution of , and research progress on the immunogenicity and safety of meningococcal vaccines, we developed an experts' consensus on immunization with meningococcal vaccines to provide guidance for immunization providers and for centers for disease control and prevention staff. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2019 Feb 7;19(1):49. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Wellcome Wolfson Institute of Experimental Medicine, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK.

Background: The early recognition of meningococcal disease in children is vital. During the prodrome however, meningococcal infection presents similarly to many self-limiting viral infections. This mandates a cautious approach with many children receiving unnecessary broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotics. Read More

Trop Med Int Health 2019 Apr 6;24(4):392-400. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.

Objective: To investigate potential risk factors for acquisition in seven countries of the meningitis belt.

Methods: Households were followed up every 2 weeks for 2 months, then monthly for a further 4 months. Pharyngeal swabs were collected from all available household members at each visit and questionnaires completed. Read More

Infect Immun 2019 Apr 25;87(4). Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy

In serogroup C , the () gene codes for an UDP--acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase that catalyzes the conversion of UDP--acetyl-α-d-glucosamine into -acetyl-d-mannosamine and UDP in the first step in sialic acid biosynthesis. This enzyme is required for the biosynthesis of the (α2→9)-linked polysialic acid capsule and for lipooligosaccharide (LOS) sialylation. In this study, we have used a reference serogroup C meningococcal strain and an isogenic knockout mutant to investigate the pathogenetic role of surface-exposed sialic acids in a model of meningitis based on intracisternal inoculation of BALB/c mice. Read More

Epidemiol Health 2018 28;40:e2018058. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Département Bactériologie Virologie, Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Cote d'lvoire.

Objectives: To describe the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) W135 in Côte d'Ivoire and its characteristics compared to NmA.

Methods: Data on Nm samples isolated at the National Reference Center for meningitis in Côte d'Ivoire between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed. Socio-demographic data and biological information on the samples were extracted from the database. Read More

Ugeskr Laeger 2019 Jan;181(3)

Neisseria meningiditis is a cause of sepsis and meningitis. Based on the capsule, six groups are recognised to cause invasive disease: A, B, C, W135, X and Y. In Denmark, five vaccines are marketed to protect against five of the six groups. Read More

An Pediatr (Barc) 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Sección de Enfermedades Infecciosas Pediátricas, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid , España.

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a high morbidity and mortality in children and adults. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with IMD, to compare them among children and adults, and to determine prognostic factors and changes in epidemiology during a 14-year period.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to a third level hospital with IMD between 2004 and 2017. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 01 18;16(2). Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Epidemiology and Management, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin 71-210, Poland.

In Poland, in addition to mandatory, free of charge vaccines, listed in the national immunization schedule, numerous self-paid vaccinations are recommended, including meningococcal vaccination (MV). To assess MV uptake among ≤5-year-old children and to evaluate parental knowledge and attitudes regarding invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among 350 parents (mean age: 32. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Feb 17;37(7):991-1000. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

GSK, Siena, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: The Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS) was developed to identify meningococcus group B strains with a high likelihood of being covered by the 4CMenB vaccine, but is limited by the requirement for viable isolates from culture-confirmed cases. We examined if antigen genotyping could complement MATS in predicting strain coverage by the 4CMenB vaccine.

Methods: From a panel of 3912 MATS-typed invasive meningococcal disease isolates collected in England and Wales in 2007-2008, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, and in 16 other countries in 2000-2015, 3481 isolates were also characterized by antigen genotyping. Read More

J Prev Med Hyg 2018 Dec 15;59(4):E257-E260. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.

The invasive disease from Neisseria meningitidis is one of the leading causes of death for meningitis and sepsis at all ages. The highest incidence of cases occurs at paediatric and adolescent age, but no age of life is considered protected from this infection and disease. Prevention against the five main serogroups is possible using the combined conjugated polysaccharide vaccine against the ACWY (anti-MenACWY) serogroups and the meningococcal B (anti-MenB) protein vaccines. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Feb 14;37(7):956-964. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. Electronic address:

Neisseria meningitidis caused meningitis is life-threatening acute infection with high fatality and high frequency of severe sequelae. Meningococcal capsular polysaccharides can be used to prevent meningococcal disease; while conjugating the polysaccharides to carrier protein was found necessary to improve the immunogenicity and induce memory responses in infants and young children. Nevertheless, repeated administration of glycoconjugate vaccines might lead to carrier-induced epitope suppression due to limited number of carrier proteins. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2019 Mar 11;80:137-146. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Medical and Scientific Affairs Regional Lead, Pfizer Vaccines, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Brazil, the first Latin American country to introduce the group C meningococcal conjugate vaccine (included in the vaccination schedule in 2010).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted, covering the years 2005-2017, to identify epidemiological information on IMD and Neisseria meningitidis carriers in Brazil. Documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and two public databases were analyzed to determine annual incidence rates, absolute numbers of diagnosed cases, serogroups identified, the relative distribution of cases per serogroup, and the case fatality rate (CFR). Read More

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Children's Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.

Aims: Enteroviruses (EVs) are the most common agents of aseptic meningitis. Some serotypes can cause serious neuroinfection leading to death. The aim of this study was to determine the representation of EVs in the etiology of aseptic meningitis in children and to analyze the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological characteristics of patients with EV meningitis. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Jan 9;19(1):46. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Global Public Health Solutions Inc, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Background: Uganda is a low income country that continues to experience disease outbreaks caused by emerging and re-emerging diseases such as cholera, meningococcal meningitis, typhoid and viral haemorrhagic fevers. The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy was adopted by WHO-AFRO in 1998 as a comprehensive strategy to improve disease surveillance and response in WHO Member States in Africa and was adopted in Uganda in 2000. To address persistent inconsistencies and inadequacies in the core and support functions of IDSR, Uganda initiated an IDSR revitalisation programme in 2012. Read More

Euro Surveill 2019 Jan;24(1)

University of Manchester, Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Stopford Building, Manchester, United Kingdom.

BackgroundIn 1999, the United Kingdom (UK) was the first country to introduce meningococcal group C (MenC) conjugate vaccination. This vaccination programme has evolved with further understanding, new vaccines and changing disease epidemiology.AimTo characterise MenC disease and population protection against MenC disease in England. Read More

Stud Hist Philos Biol Biomed Sci 2019 Apr 5;74:7-14. Epub 2019 Jan 5.

EA 4148 Sciences, Société, Historicité, Éducation et Pratiques (S2HEP), Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, S2HEP, Bâtiment "La Pagode", 38 Boulevard Niels Bohr - Campus de la DOUA, 69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France. Electronic address:

During the period from 1962 to 1967, the development of a meningococcal A vaccine could be considered as feasible despite all the drawbacks of working with cerebrospinal meningitis A. In this paper, I analyse why and how this programme for vaccine development was put into place, and in particular how the problem was perceived as feasible. Deploying the concept of Doable Problems developed by Joan Fujimura, I examine the complex range of factors that led to the outcome of the trial in Yako in 1967. Read More