RESUMO
Despite current advances in antibiotic therapy and vaccines, meningococcal disease serogroup C (MDC) remains a serious threat to global health, particularly in countries in North and Latin America, Europe, and Asia. MDC is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and neurological sequelae and it is a heavy economic burden. At the individual level, despite advances in antibiotics and supportive therapies, case fatality rate remains nearly 10% and severe neurological sequelae are frequent. At the population level, prevention and control of infection is more challenging. The main approaches include health education, providing information to the public, specific treatment, chemoprophylaxis, and the use of vaccines. Plain and conjugate meningococcal C polysaccharide vaccines are considered safe, are well tolerated, and have been used successfully for over 30 years. Most high-income countries use vaccination as a part of public health strategies, and different meningococcal C vaccination schedules have proven to be effective in reducing incidence. This is particularly so with conjugate vaccines, which have been found to induce immunogenicity in infants (the age group with the highest incidence rates of disease), stimulate immunologic memory, have longer effects, not lead to hyporesponsiveness with repeated dosing, and decrease acquisition of nasopharyngeal carriage, inducing herd immunity. Antibiotics are considered a cornerstone of MDC treatment and must be administered empirically as soon as possible. The choice of which antibiotic to use should be made based on local antibiotic resistance, availability, and circulating strains. Excellent options for a 7-day course are penicillin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and third-generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefotaxime) intravenously, although the latter are considerably more expensive than the others. The use of steroids as adjunctive therapy for MDC is still controversial and remains a topic of debate. A combination of all of the aforementioned approaches is useful in the prevention and control of MDC, and each country should tailor its public health policy to its own particular needs and knowledge of disease burden.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Community acquired Bacterial Meningitis (BM) remains a serious threat to global health. Cuban surveillance system for BM allowed to characterize the main epidemiological features of this group of diseases, as well as to assess the association of some variables with mortality. Results of the BM surveillance in Cuba are presented in this paper. METHODS: A follow up of BM cases reported to the Institute "Pedro Kourí" by the National Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance System from 1998 to 2007 was completed. Incidence and case-fatality rate (CFR) were calculated. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to elucidate associated factors to mortality comparing death versus survival. Relative Risk (RR) or odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) were estimated, using either a Chi-squared Test or Fisher's Exact Test as appropriate. A Holt-Winters model was used to assess seasonality. RESULTS: 4798 cases of BM (4.3 per 100,000 population) were reported, with a decreasing trend of the incidence. Highest incidence was observed in infants and elderly. Overall CFR reached 24.1% affecting mostly older adults. S. pneumoniae (23.6%), N. meningitidis (8.2%) and H. influenzae type b (6.0%) were the main causative agents. Males predominate in the incidence. Highest incidence and CFR were mainly clustered in the centre of the island. The univariate analysis did not show association between delayed medical consultation (RR = 1.20; CI = 1.07-1.35) or delayed hospitalization (RR = 0.98; CI = 0.87-1.11) and the fatal outcome. Logistic regression model showed association of categories housewife, pensioned, imprisoned, unemployed, S. pneumoniae and other bacteria with mortality. Seasonality during September, January and March was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the National Program for Control and Prevention of the Neurological Infectious Syndrome evidenced a reduction of the BM incidence, but not the CFR. Multivariate analysis identified an association of mortality with some societal groups as well as with S. pneumoniae.
Assuntos
Infecções Comunitárias Adquiridas/epidemiologia , Meningites Bacterianas/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Bactérias/classificação , Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Infecções Comunitárias Adquiridas/mortalidade , Cuba/epidemiologia , Feminino , Geografia , Humanos , Incidência , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Meningites Bacterianas/mortalidade , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mortalidade , Fatores de Risco , Estações do Ano , Fatores Sexuais , Adulto JovemRESUMO
La meningitis bacteriana es una de las enfermedades infecciosas de mayor impacto social en Cuba, en particular en la población infantil y joven. Estimar su carga mediante los Años de Vida Ajustados por Discapacidad resulta importante para monitorear su comportamiento y evaluar el impacto de distintas acciones para prevenirla y tratarla. Estimar las cargas por morbilidad y por mortalidad de la meningitis bacteriana en el país para el año 2000, y comparar estas estimaciones con las obtenidas de forma preliminar por la OMS. Los procedimientos de estimación fueron los empleados por la OMS en sus estudios de Carga Global de Enfermedades. Los datos de mortalidad y de incidencia se tomaron de fuentes nacionales. Se trabajó sin descuento en el tiempo y sin ponderación por edad. La carga por morbilidad se obtuvo para tres variantes distintas, a partir del uso o no de un programa de computación desarrollado para validar los indicadores epidemiológicos necesarios para el cálculo de las cargas, y a partir de la inclusión o no de las secuelas. La carga por mortalidad fue cerca de 1,4 veces la carga por morbilidad. Dentro de esta última, la carga por secuelas fue más de 80 veces mayor que la carga por tipo de meningitis. Los resultados fueron similares a las estimaciones preliminares de la OMS para Cuba en el 2000. Se pone de manifiesto la importancia de crear y mantener registros de incidencia y duración de las secuelas de la meningitis bacteriana. Este trabajo es el primero en Cuba que estima la carga de esta enfermedad, y crea las condiciones para valorar esta carga para otros años, desglosada por provincia, sexo y edad.
Bacterial meningitis is one of the infectious diseases with higher social impact in Cuba, mainly in the child and young populations. Estimating the burden of this disease based on disability-adjusted years of life is important to monitor its behaviour and to evaluate the impact of several actions to prevent and treat it. To estimate the morbidity and mortality burdens of bacterial meningitis in the country in 2000, and to compare these estimations with the preliminary estimations by WHO. WHO estimation procedures for Global Burden of Diseases studies were used. Mortality and incidence data were taken from domestic sources. Time discount and age weighing were not considered in this paper. Morbidity burden was obtained for three different variants, based on the use or non use of a software to validate epidemiological indicators for burden calculations and on the inclusion or exclusion of the disease sequelae. The mortality burden was almost 1.4 times that of morbidity. In this latter, the burden of sequelae was eighty times higher than the burden by type of meningitis. The achieved results were similar to the preliminary estimations for Cuba made by WHO in the year 2000. It was evident that creating and keeping records of incidence and duration of bacterial meningitis sequelae is fundamental. This paper is the first conducted in Cuba that estimated the burden of this disease and created the conditions for estimating the burden for coming years, broken down by province, sex and age.
Assuntos
Meningites Bacterianas/epidemiologiaRESUMO
A surveillance system to detect West Nile virus (WNV) was established in Cuba in 2002. WNV infection was confirmed by serologic assays in 4 asymptomatic horses and 3 humans with encephalitis in 2003 and 2004. These results are the first reported evidence of WNV activity in Cuba.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Cavalos/virologia , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/veterinária , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/virologia , Vírus do Nilo Ocidental/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Aves , Cuba/epidemiologia , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Doenças dos Cavalos/sangue , Doenças dos Cavalos/epidemiologia , Cavalos , Humanos , Testes de Neutralização , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/sangue , Febre do Nilo Ocidental/epidemiologiaRESUMO
This study reports the preliminary assessment of the safety and immunogenicity of the first serogroup C conjugate vaccine candidate that includes meningococcal P64k recombinant protein as the carrier (MenC/P64k). Twenty volunteers were recruited for a double-blind, randomized, controlled phase I clinical trial, receiving a single dose of MenC/P64k (study group) and a single dose of the commercial polysaccharide vaccine AC (control group). Only mild reactions were observed. No statistical differences were detected between the antipolysaccharide C IgG responses of both groups as well as between bactericidal serum titre (P > 0.05). The MenC/P64k vaccine was found to have a good safety profile, to be well tolerated and immunogenic.
Assuntos
Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/imunologia , Infecções Meningocócicas/imunologia , Vacinas Meningocócicas/efeitos adversos , Vacinas Meningocócicas/imunologia , Neisseria meningitidis Sorogrupo C/imunologia , Adulto , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Testes de Fixação de Complemento , Cuba , Método Duplo-Cego , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Humanos , Masculino , Infecções Meningocócicas/prevenção & controle , Vacinas Conjugadas/efeitos adversos , Vacinas Conjugadas/imunologiaRESUMO
Se presentó un paciente de 54 años de edad con cuadro clínico de meningitis, que en el estudio del líquido cefalorraquídeo se aisló Pseudomonas aeruginosa. La meningitis por bacilos gramnegativos ha ido incrementándose desde la década de los años 70, con una mayor incidencia en niños pequeños. Dentro de este grupo de infecciones, la causada por Pseudomonas sp por su poca frecuencia, resulta una rareza. La meningitis por Pseudomonas aeruginosa debe tenerse en cuenta por la severidad del cuadro clínico y el incremento de las cepas resistentes
Assuntos
Humanos , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana , Meningites Bacterianas , Pseudomonas aeruginosaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Bacterial meningitis is a group of life threatening infections that mostly affect children and adolescents, and may be the cause of severe neurological sequelae. Cuba has implemented massive vaccination programmes against both Neisseria meningitidis (serogroup C in 1979 and B in 1987), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (1999), two of the main causal pathogens. We described and discussed some epidemiological aspects of the current status of bacterial meningitis to learn from the Cuban experience. METHODS: A nationwide observational study on children and adolescents from 1 to 18 years old was carried out from 1998 to 2003, estimating the incidence and case-fatality rate by age group and causal pathogens, as well as the seasonality and frequency of overcrowded dormitories. The association between disease and attendance to day care centres or boarding schools was estimated by using relative risk (Chi-squared test and Fisher Exact Test). RESULTS: The overall number of cases was 1023; the incidence ranged from 3.4 to 8.5 per 100,000 population, with the higher figures in children 1-5 years old (16.8 per 100,000 population). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B were the main identified agents. The average case-fatality rate was 10.5% and the most lethal agents were Streptococcus pneumoniae (27%) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (10.7%). Overall percentage of cases who slept in overcrowded dormitories was 15%, reaching 30.6% in adolescents. Seasonality was only evident among meningococcal meningitis cases between September-October. The attendance to boarding high school showed an association with disease only in 1998 and 1999 (RR = 2.1; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The highest incidence of bacterial meningitis was observed among children from 1-5 years old. Pneumococcus was both the leading causal and the most lethal agent. Sleeping in overcrowded dormitories was more frequent among adolescents. No strong association was observed between the bacterial meningitis and attendance to day care centres or boarding schools. The incidence of bacterial meningitis in Cuba is declining after massive vaccination programmes against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B and C and Haemophilus influenzae type b through a national immunisation program.
Assuntos
Meningites Bacterianas/epidemiologia , Vigilância da População , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Cuba/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Incidência , Lactente , Masculino , Meningites Bacterianas/microbiologia , Risco , Estações do AnoRESUMO
La fibrosis quística constituye un importante problema pediátrico por la elevada y prematura mortalidad que lo caracteriza, la deficiente calidad de vida que genera en los enfermos y la ausencia de un tratamiento curativo. Métodos: Se describieron algunas características de 15 pacientes con fibrosis quística ingresados en el Hospital Pediátrico William Soler entre 1998 y 2002. Se calcularon porcentajes según grupos de edad, sexo, síntomas y signos más frecuentes, motivo de ingreso, estadía hospitalaria, antibióticos aplicados, y otros. Resultados: No hubo fallecidos durante el período estudiado, predominaron las edades pediátricas (86,6 por ciento), el sexo masculino (67 por ciento) y el color de la piel blanco (80 por ciento). Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron las infecciones respiratorias (67 por ciento), el bajo peso corporal (48 por ciento) y los trastornos digestivos (25 por ciento), los cuales comenzaron como promedio a los 20,6 meses de edad. La caracterización genética fue mayormente delta F 508 (66 por ciento). Entre las causas de los ingresos se encontraron, fundamentalmente, recibir antibiótico-terapia (45 por ciento), para tratamiento por infecciones respiratorias bajas (22 por ciento) y por fibrosis quística (15 por ciento). Hubo un total de 72 ingresos y se acumularon 1 088 días de estadía hospitalaria, con un promedio de 15 días. En casi todos los casos se aplicó antibiótico-terapia debido a los aislamientos de Psedomona aeruginosa como causa de infección respiratoria. Se utilizaron 11 antibióticos diferentes, de los cuales los más frecuentes fueron amikacina, ceftazidima, gentamicina, tobramicina y ciprofloxacina. La combinación más frecuente, pero no la única, fue la de un beta-lactámico y un aminoglucósido
Assuntos
Masculino , Humanos , Feminino , Criança , Aberrações Cromossômicas , Fibrose Cística/epidemiologia , Fibrose Cística/genéticaRESUMO
Meningitis caused by gram-negative bacilli increased since the 1970, with a higher incidence in small children. Within this group of infections, the meningitis caused by Pseudomonas sp is rare. The case of a 54-year-old patient with a clinical picture of meningitis is reported. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid. The meningitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be taken into consideration because of the severity of the clinical picture and the high mortality and increasing strain resistance.
Assuntos
Meningites Bacterianas , Infecções por Pseudomonas , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efeitos dos fármacos , Antibacterianos/administração & dosagem , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Azlocilina/farmacologia , Carbenicilina/farmacologia , Ceftriaxona/administração & dosagem , Ceftriaxona/farmacologia , Ceftriaxona/uso terapêutico , Líquido Cefalorraquidiano/microbiologia , Infecções Comunitárias Adquiridas , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana Múltipla , Gentamicinas/farmacologia , Humanos , Masculino , Meningites Bacterianas/diagnóstico , Meningites Bacterianas/tratamento farmacológico , Meningites Bacterianas/microbiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infecções por Pseudomonas/diagnóstico , Infecções por Pseudomonas/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Pseudomonas/microbiologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolamento & purificação , Ticarcilina/farmacologia , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Objetivo. Determinar el impacto de la vacunación de menores de 2 años en Cuba contra Haemophilus influenzae tipo b (Hib), principal agente causal de la meningitis bacteriana en ese país. Métodos. La disponibilidad de vacunas conjugadas eficaces contra Hib motivó la vacunación nacional en 1999 de niños menores de 2 años, que alcanzó una cobertura de 97%. El impacto se evaluó mediante el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de Meningoencefalitis Bacterianas (SNVMEB). Resultados. La eficacia global de la vacunación se estimó en 99% y la incidencia general de la meningoencefalitis por Hib disminuyó de 1,3 a 0,6 por 100 000 habitantes (46,1%), observándose la mayor reducción en niños menores de 5 años (56,1%). En los menores de 1 año se redujo 70,5% y en el resto de los grupos de menores de 5 años disminuyó entre 25,9 y 49,6%. En el grupo diana para la vacunación, la incidencia se redujo 61,1%; entre los niños de este grupo que contrajeron la meningoencefalitis por Hib, solamente 8 (24,2%) estaban vacunados, 7 de ellos con una sola dosis, aplicada 1 mes antes de enfermar. Conclusiones. Se ha demostrado que la vacunación a gran escala de los niños menores de 2 años contra Hib en Cuba a través del SNVMEB ha logrado disminuir notablemente la incidencia de meningoencefalitis por Hib.
Objective. To assess the effectiveness of mass vaccination in Cuba of children under 2 years of age against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), the most common causative pathogen of bacterial meningitis. Methods. The availability of effective Hib conjugate vaccines led to a nationwide vaccination program in 1999 targeting all children under 2 years of age, with a 97% coverage rate achieved. To assess the program's impact, data from 1998 and 1999 from the National Bacterial Meningitis Reporting System were used. Results. Vaccination efficacy was estimated at 99%. The overall incidence of Hib meningitis declined 46.1%, from 1.3 to 0.6 cases per 100 000 population. The greatest overall reduction, of 56.1%, occurred among children under 5 years of age. Among children under 1 year of age, the reduction was 70.5%, and among the rest of the age groups of children under 5, incidence decreased between 25.9% and 49.6%. In the group targeted for vaccination, incidence decreased 61.1%. Among children in the target group who contracted Hib meningitis, only 8 cases (24.2%) had been vaccinated, most with a single dose applied 1 month before becoming ill. Conclusions. Hib vaccination of all children under 2 years of age in Cuba greatly reduced the incidence of Hib meningitis, as measured by the National Bacterial Meningitis Reporting System