Changes of pathogen distribution in children with bacterial meningitis before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Zhengzhou, China

Cheng, Ping; Li, Lifeng; Sun, Huiqing; Zhu, Changlian

doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2022.12.009

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

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“…It must be noted that immunization plans and emerging pandemics may have changed the past infection pattern, which may further require updating immunization plans and prevention and control strategies. Cheng [ 15 ] suggests that the distribution of MM pathogens in China has undergone significant changes after COVID-19, and relevant monitoring needs to be strengthened. However, the existing literature provides limited evidence for the immunization plans’ reform.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Works for Controlling Meningitis Outbreaks: A Case Study from China

Zhang,

Liu,

et al. 2023

Vaccines

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The meningococcal meningitis (MM) vaccine reduces the incidence of MM significantly; however, outbreaks still occur in communities with high vaccine coverage. We aimed to analyze the driving factors of infection from a community outbreak. A total of 266 children aged 9 to 15 years old from the three junior high schools of Tongzi county were identified. We documented infection cases using laboratory tests and analyzed attack rates, infection rates and risk factors for transmission. The index case in School A was identified, and the attack rate in School A was 0.03%. Children showed a significantly low infection rate of MenC in School A (13.2% vs. 19.5% in total children, p = 0.002), while exhibiting significantly high infection rates of MenA in School B (44.1% vs. 24.8% in total children, p < 0.001) and MenB in School C (11.1% vs. 4.1% in total children, p = 0.015). The infection rate of MenA for females (30.0%) was higher (p = 0.055) than for males (19.9%). In School A, 63.19% of children were vaccinated against MenC, while in School B the rate was 42.65% and in School C, it was 59.26%. Three male MenC infection cases were detected as breakthrough infection cases in addition to the index case. The findings suggest that the current full-course immunization has limited long-term effectiveness and is inefficient in preventing the transmission of MM among older children.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Works for Controlling Meningitis Outbreaks: A Case Study from China

Zhang,

Liu,

et al. 2023

Vaccines

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Impact of COVID‐19 on the Prevalence and Drug Resistance of Bacteria Isolated From Bacterial Meningitis Cerebrospinal Fluid in Shandong Province: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Zhang,

Wang,

Sun

et al. 2024

Journal of Medical Virology

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Our objective was to evaluate the ramifications of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic on the microbial profile and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens of patients with bacterial meningitis. We conducted a retrospective analysis of laboratory results and clinical records about positive CSF cultures reported by the SPARSS network from 2017 to 2023. The study covered three distinct periods: January 2017 to December 2019 (before the COVID‐19 pandemic), January 2020 to December 2022 (during the COVID‐19 pandemic), and January 2023 to December 2023 (after the COVID‐19 pandemic), with a total of 5793 CSF isolates collected. Notably, the proportion of male patients (61.3%) was higher than that of females. After COVID‐19, we observed a notable shift in the seasonal peak of CSF pathogens, with a delay of approximately 3 months. Remarkable alterations were evident in both pediatric and adult CSF isolate profiles. In children, the predominant pathogens included coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus (CoNS), Streptococcus pneumonia, and Escherichia coli. Notably. After COVID‐19, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of CoNS (p = 0.0039) and a notable increase in E. coli (p = 0.0067). In adults, the top three pathogens were CoNS, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. After the pandemic, we observed a significant reduction in the prevalence of A. baumannii (p = 0.0059), while the proportions of K. pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, and Enterococcus faecalis increased significantly (p < 0.05). Additionally, among multidrug‐resistant bacteria, the detection rate of carbapenem‐resistant E. coli escalated (p = 0.0375). Antimicrobial susceptibility analysis indicated a declining trend in resistance rates for CoNS and A. baumannii to certain antibiotics following the pandemic. Conversely, resistance to imipenem in A. baumannii increased. In conclusion, the COVID‐19 pandemic has significantly influenced the composition, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and epidemiological dynamics of CSF‐isolated bacteria in Shandong province. To effectively address these changes, ongoing and dynamic surveillance of pathogen trends and antimicrobial resistance rate is essential.

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