Invasive meningococcal disease epidemiology and vaccination strategies in four Southern European countries: a review of the available data

Zografaki, Irini; Detsis, Marios; Amo, Maria Del; Iantomasi, Raffaella; Maia, Ana Rosete; Montuori, Eva Agostina; Méndez, Cristina

doi:10.1080/14760584.2023.2225596

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The decline in IMD during the COVID-19 pandemic has been noted in many countries, along with a decline in invasive infections due to other respiratory pathogens, e.g., Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae , yet, a decline has not been observed in Streptococcus agalactiae , a non-respiratory pathogen [ 10 ]. A recent review including four southern European countries (Italy, Portugal, Greece, and Spain, 1999–2019) displayed marked dynamics in incidence rates of IMD across the years [ 21 ]. The reported overall IMD incidence in Europe has declined from 0.95 per 100,000 population in 2008 (4744 cases) to 0.62 per 100,000 in 2017 (3212 cases), a 34% reduction [ 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In previous studies in Israel, most IMD cases were reported in young children, mainly in low socio-economic communities (Orthodox Jewish and Arab), with peak incidence rates in infants under 1 year of age [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 23 , 24 ]. In the past two decades in southern European countries, the incidence of IMD was highest in infants and young children [ 21 ]. In the current study, most (75%) of the IMD cases notified nationally during 2007–2022 were younger than 18 years, 59% were younger than 5 years, and 33% were infants younger than 1 year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Invasive Disease Due to Neisseria meningitidis: Surveillance and Trends in Israel Prior to and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Stein-Zamir,

Shoob,

Abramson

et al. 2023

Microorganisms

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Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a devastating disease with significant mortality and long-term morbidity. The COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures have affected the epidemiology of infectious pathogens. This study’s aim was to assess IMD trends in Israel prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Neisseria meningitidis invasive infection is a notifiable disease in Israel. Laboratory analysis includes serogrouping and molecular characterization. The overall national IMD incidence rate (1998–2022) was 0.8/100,000 population. The IMD incidence rates declined during the pandemic years (0.3/100,000 in 2020–2022 vs. 0.9/100,000 in 1998–2019). The number of notified IMD cases declined by 65% in 2020–2022. The case fatality rate among laboratory-confirmed IMD cases was 9% (47/521, 2007–2022). Mortality risk markers included cases’ age (older) and socio-economic status (lower). Overall, most Neisseria meningitidis isolates were of serogroup B (62.6%), and the most prevalent clonal complex (CC) was CC32 (24.2%). Serogroup B prevailed in cases aged 0–9 years (74.5%) and less in cases aged 10 years and above (39%). Neisseria meningitidis serogroups and CC distribution altered recently with a decline in serogroup B fraction, an increase in serogroup Y, and a decline in CC32. Ongoing IMD surveillance is necessary to assess trends in circulating strains and support decision-making on meningococcal vaccination programs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%