Bacterial Meningitis in the United States, 1986: Report of a Multistate Surveillance Study

Abstract

A prospective, laboratory-based surveillance project obtained accurate data on meningitis in a population of 34 million people during 1986. Haemophilus influenzae was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis (45%), followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (18%), and Neisseria meningitidis (14%). Rates of H. influenzae meningitis varied significantly by region, from 1.9/100,000 in New Jersey to 4.0/100,000 in Washington state. The overall case fatality rates for meningitis were lower than those reported in several studies from the early 1970s, suggesting that improvements in early detection and antibiotic treatment may have occurred since that time. Concurrent surveillance was also performed for all invasive disease due to the five most common causes of bacterial meningitis. Serotypes of group B streptococcus other than type III caused more than half of neonatal group B streptococcal disease and mortality, suggesting that an optimal vaccine preparation must be multivalent. Of the organisms evaluated, group B streptococcus was the second most common cause of invasive disease in persons greater than 5 years old.

InvasiveEnterobacter sakazakiiDisease in Infants

“…In such nurseries, powdered formula is frequently given to babies who are not breast-fed, and it may also be used as a supplement by mothers who have chosen to breast-feed. Since infants are at highest risk for meningitis during the first several weeks of life, possibly because of immaturity of the bloodbrain barrier, exposures to E. sakazakii in powdered formula or other sources during this time may quickly lead to central nervous system disease (26,27).…”

Etiologia de meningites bacterianas em uma amostra da população de Salvador - Bahia

“…A incidência anual nos Estados Unidos oscila ao redor de 3 casos por 100000 habitantes, embora esse número varie com idade, raça e sexo 24 . Os três patógenos mais frequentemente causadores de meningites bacterianas agudas e responsáveis por mais de 80% dos casos são: Haemophilus influenzae tipo b, Neisseria meningitidis e Streptococcus pneumoniae 5,24 com taxas de letalidade de 6,0%, 10,3% e 26,3%, respectivamente 27 . Em uma revisão de 4100 casos do Hospital Couto Maia, em Salvador, Bahia, a incidência foi de 45,8 casos por 100000 habitantes, com uma letalidade global de 33% 8 .…”

Meningitis – what precaution is needed for central neuraxial blockade

“…World wide only 60 cases have been identified with only 3 deaths (5%) 2 . The death rate is considerably lower than that of the community acquired meningitis (3-29%) 3,4 .…”