After licensure of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in the United States in 2000, the incidence of pediatric pneumococcal meningitis decreased significantly. However, cases continue to occur. In this study, laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal meningitis among Utah children from 1997 to 2010 performed and medical records and obtained clinical data during the acute illness and follow-up data on neurologic sequelae reviewed. This study was a cohort study of laboratory-confirmed pneumococcal meningitis among Utah children from 1997 to 2010. After reviewing the medical records clinical data was obtained during the acute ilness and follow-updata on neurlogic sequele. Sixty-eight cases of meningitis were identified. PCV7 serotypes caused 64% of cases before and 25% of cases after licensure of PCV7 (P < .01). The age range, neurologic sequelae and fatality rate were similar before and after PCV7 licensure. Children with PCV7 serotypes were more likely to require mechanical ventilation (68% vs 34%; P < .01). Pneumococcal meningitis continues to be associated with high mortality and morbidity; death and neurologic sequelae are common with both PCV7 and non-PCV7 serotype meningitis. The substantial burden of this disease and continued cases among unimmunized children reinforce the need for more effective immunization strategies and continued surveillance in the era of PCV13.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23979090
Dr. Aslıhan Demirel
Posted September 16, 2013