Hospitalizations related to meningococcal infection in Spain from 1997 to 2018

Abstract

Background Baseline hospitalization, mortality, and in-hospital fatality rates for meningococcal infection are required to evaluate preventive interventions, such as the inclusion of the conjugated quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine and serogroup B based protein vaccines. Methods All meningococcal infection–related hospitalizations in any diagnostic position in Spain from 1st January 1997 through 31st December 2018 were analysed. The annual hospitalization rate, mortality rate and case-fatality rate were calculated. Results The average hospitalization rate for meningococcal infection was 1.64 (95% CI 1.61 to 1.66) hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants during the study period and significantly decreased from 1997 to 2018. Hospitalizations for meningococcal infection decreased significantly with age and were concentrated in children under 5 years of age (46%). The hospitalization rates reached 29 per 100,000 and 24 per 100,000 children under 1 and 2 years of age, respectively. The in-hospital case-fatality rate was 7.45% (95% CI 7.03 to 7.86). Thirty percent of the deaths occurred in children under 5 years of age, and more than half occurred in adults. The case fatality rate increased significantly with age (p < 0.001). Conclusion It is necessary to maintain epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal infection to determine the main circulating serogroups involved, track their evolution, and evaluate preventive measures whose effectiveness must be assessed in all age groups.

Accuracy of antigen tests for meningococcal meningitis in cerebrospinal fluid: A diagnostic meta‐analysis

“…Antigens that present in CSF can be detected using latex beads with antibodies adsorbed on them. The mechanism behind the LFDs and immunochromatographic dipstick diagnostic tests is based on the immunoaffinity partition of the analyte between sample migration across a porous membrane and a restricted "affinity zone" formed by immobilising an antibody on the membrane [9][10][11]. In addition, antigen tests have several benefits, such as rapid test results and the ability to perform the test at the point of care.…”