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Pinilla-Monsalve GD, Llanos-Leyton N, González MC, Manrique-Hernández EF, Rey-Serrano JJ, Quiñones-Bautista JA. Socioepidemiological macro-determinants associated with the cumulative incidence of bacterial meningitis: A focus on the African Meningitis Belt. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1088182. [PMID: 36864915 PMCID: PMC9971970 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1088182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a public health challenge as it is associated with high lethality and neurological sequelae. Worldwide, most cases are registered in the African Meningitis Belt (AMB). The role of particular socioepidemiological features is essential for understanding disease dynamics and optimizing policy-making. Objective To identify socioepidemiological macro-determinants that contribute to explaining the differences in BM incidence between AMB and the rest of Africa. Methods Country-level ecologic study based on the cumulative incidence estimates of the Global Burden of Disease study and reports of the MenAfriNet Consortium. Data about relevant socioepidemiological features were extracted from international sources. Multivariate regression models were implemented to define variables associated with the classification of African countries within the AMB and the incidence of BM worldwide. Results Cumulative incidences at the AMB sub-regions were 111.93 (west), 87.23 (central), 65.10 (east), and 42.47 (north) per 100,000 population. A pattern of common origin with continuous exposition and seasonality of cases was observed. Socio-epidemiological determinants contributing to differentiating the AMB from the rest of Africa were household occupancy (OR 3.17 CI 95% 1.09-9.22, p = 0.034) and malaria incidence (OR 1.01 CI 95% 1.00-1.02, p = 0.016). BM cumulative incidence worldwide was additionally associated with temperature and gross national income per capita. Conclusion Socioeconomic and climate conditions are macro-determinants associated with BM cumulative incidence. Multilevel designs are required to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel D. Pinilla-Monsalve
- Departamento de Neurología, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia,Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia,Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada,*Correspondence: Gabriel D. Pinilla-Monsalve ✉
| | - Natalia Llanos-Leyton
- Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia,Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | | | | | - Juan José Rey-Serrano
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Jairo Alonso Quiñones-Bautista
- Departamento de Neurología, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia,Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
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Kwambana-Adams BA, Cohen AL, Hampton L, Nhantumbo AA, Heyderman RS, Antonio M, Bita A, Mwenda JM. Toward Establishing Integrated, Comprehensive, and Sustainable Meningitis Surveillance in Africa to Better Inform Vaccination Strategies. J Infect Dis 2021; 224:S299-S306. [PMID: 34469559 PMCID: PMC8409533 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Large populations across sub-Saharan Africa remain at risk of devastating acute bacterial meningitis epidemics and endemic disease. Meningitis surveillance is a cornerstone of disease control, essential for describing temporal changes in disease epidemiology, the rapid detection of outbreaks, guiding vaccine introduction and monitoring vaccine impact. However, meningitis surveillance in most African countries is weak, undermined by parallel surveillance systems with little to no synergy and limited laboratory capacity. African countries need to implement comprehensive meningitis surveillance systems to adapt to the rapidly changing disease trends and vaccine landscapes. The World Health Organization and partners have developed a new investment case to restructure vaccine-preventable disease surveillance. With this new structure, countries will establish comprehensive and sustainable meningitis surveillance systems integrated with greater harmonization between population-based and sentinel surveillance systems. There will also be stronger linkage with existing surveillance systems for vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio, measles, yellow fever, and rotavirus, as well as with other epidemic-prone diseases to leverage their infrastructure, transport systems, equipment, human resources and funding. The implementation of these concepts is currently being piloted in a few countries in sub-Saharan Africa with support from the World Health Organization and other partners. African countries need to take urgent action to improve synergies and coordination between different surveillance systems to set joint priorities that will inform action to control devastating acute bacterial meningitis effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Anna Kwambana-Adams
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Mucosal Pathogens, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for New Vaccines Surveillance, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Adam L Cohen
- Division of Global Health Protection, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lee Hampton
- Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, Global Health Campus, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aquino Albino Nhantumbo
- Laboratório Nacional de Referência de Microbiologia, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Robert S Heyderman
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Mucosal Pathogens, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Antonio
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for New Vaccines Surveillance, Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Banjul, The Gambia.,Centre for Epidemic Preparedness and Response, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andre Bita
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
| | - Jason Mathiu Mwenda
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
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van Kessel F, van den Ende C, Oordt-Speets AM, Kyaw MH. Outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis in non-African countries over the last 50 years: a systematic review. J Glob Health 2019; 9:010411. [PMID: 30937163 PMCID: PMC6441124 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.09.010411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, leading to substantial mortality and severe morbidity; with serogroups A, B, C, W135, X and Y most significant in causing disease. An outbreak is defined as multiple cases of the same serogroup occurring in a population over a short time-period. A systematic review was performed to gain insight into outbreaks of meningococcal disease and to describe the temporal pattern over the last 50 years in non-African countries. Methods PubMed and EMBASE were searched for English-language publications on outbreaks of meningococcal disease in non-African countries between January 1966 and July 2017, with an additional grey literature search. Articles and reports were considered eligible if they reported confirmed meningococcal outbreak cases, included the region, number of cases, and the start and end dates of the outbreak. Data on outbreaks was stratified by geographical region in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) regional classification, and case-fatality rates (CFRs) were calculated. Results Of the identified publications, 3067 were screened and 73 included, reporting data from 83 outbreaks. The majority of outbreaks were identified in the regions of the Americas (41/83 outbreaks), followed by the European region (30/83 outbreaks). In each of the Western Pacific, Eastern Mediterranean, and South-East Asian regions there were <10 outbreaks reported. The predominant serogroup in the majority of outbreaks was serogroup C (61%), followed by serogroup B (29%), serogroup A (5%) and serogroup W135 (4%). Outbreaks showed a peak in the colder months of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Of the 54 outbreaks where CFR was calculable for all outbreak cases, it ranged from 0%-80%. Conclusions These data present a retrospective view of the patterns for meningococcal disease outbreaks in non-African countries, and provide valuable data for monitoring future changes in disease epidemiology and informing preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke van Kessel
- Pallas Health Research and Consultancy, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Moe H Kyaw
- Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, USA
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Badahdah AM, Rashid H, Khatami A, Booy R. Meningococcal disease burden and transmission in crowded settings and mass gatherings other than Hajj/Umrah: A systematic review. Vaccine 2018; 36:4593-4602. [PMID: 29961604 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mass gatherings (MGs) such as the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages are known to amplify the risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) due to enhanced transmission of the organism between attendees. The burden of IMD at MGs other than Hajj and Umrah has not previously been quantified through a systematic review. METHODS A systematic search for relevant articles in PubMed and Embase was conducted using MeSH terms; this was buttressed by hand searching. Following data abstraction, a narrative synthesis was conducted to quantify the burden of IMD at MGs and identify potential risk factors and mitigation measures. RESULTS Thirteen studies reporting occurrence of IMD at MGs or similar crowded settings were identified. Eight studies reported cases or outbreaks in MGs of ≥1000 people; five others reported IMD in other crowded settings; all occurred between 1991 and 2015. All age groups were involved in the identified studies; however the majority of cases (∼80%) were young people aged 15-24 years. The number of affected people ranged from one to 321 cases and the overall crude estimate of incidence was calculated as 66 per 100,000 individuals. Serogroups A, C, B and W were identified, with serogroups A and C being most common. Of 450 cases of IMD reported in non-Hajj/Umrah MGs, 67 (14.9%) had fatal outcomes. CONCLUSION IMD outbreaks at non-Hajj/Umrah MGs are generally much smaller than Hajj-related outbreaks and affect mainly young people. Health education and vaccination should be considered for attendees of high risk non-Hajj/Umrah MGs, especially those involving adolescents and young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al-Mamoon Badahdah
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Harunor Rashid
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ameneh Khatami
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Departments of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Centre, NY, USA
| | - Robert Booy
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Biological Sciences and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; WHO Collaborating Centre for Mass Gatherings and High Consequence/High Visibility Events, Flinders University, Adelaide 5001, Australia; NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence - Immunisation in Understudied and Special Risk Populations: Closing the Gap in Knowledge Through a Multidisciplinary Approach, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Mass chemoprophylaxis for control of outbreaks of meningococcal disease. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2018; 18:e272-e281. [PMID: 29858150 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30124-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Although vaccination is the main strategy used to control meningococcal disease outbreaks, mass chemoprophylaxis has also been used as an immediate response to outbreaks, either to supplement vaccination or when vaccination is not possible. However, public health guidelines regarding the use of mass chemoprophylaxis for outbreak control vary by country, partly because the impact of mass chemoprophylaxis on the course of an individual outbreak is difficult to assess. We have reviewed data for the use of mass chemoprophylaxis during 33 outbreaks that occurred both in military populations and in communities and non-military organisations. In most outbreaks, no additional cases of meningococcal disease occurred after mass chemoprophylaxis, or cases occurred only in individuals who had not received prophylaxis. A delay of several weeks was common before cases occurred among prophylaxis recipients. Overall, the outbreak reports that we reviewed suggest that mass chemoprophylaxis might provide temporary protection to chemoprophylaxis recipients during outbreaks.
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Multicenter Testing of a Risk Assessment Survey for Soft Contact Lens Wearers With Adverse Events: A Contact Lens Assessment in Youth Study. Eye Contact Lens 2018; 44:21-28. [PMID: 27755286 DOI: 10.1097/icl.0000000000000305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To test the ability of responses to the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) Contact Lens Risk Survey (CLRS) to differentiate behaviors among participants with serious and significant (S&S) contact lens-related corneal inflammatory events, those with other events (non-S&S), and healthy controls matched for age, gender, and soft contact lens (SCL) wear frequency. METHODS The CLRS was self-administered electronically to SCL wearers presenting for acute clinical care at 11 clinical sites. Each participant completed the CLRS before their examination. The clinician, masked to CLRS responses, submitted a diagnosis for each participant that was used to classify the event as S&S or non-S&S. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to compare responses. RESULTS Comparison of responses from 96 participants with S&S, 68 with non-S&S, and 207 controls showed that patients with S&S were more likely (always or fairly often) to report overnight wear versus patients with non-S&S (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-18.7) and versus controls (aOR, 5.8; CI, 2.2-15.2). Patients with S&S were more likely to purchase SCLs on the internet versus non-S&S (aOR, 4.9; CI, 1.6-15.1) and versus controls (aOR, 2.8; CI, 1.4-5.9). The use of two-week replacement lenses compared with daily disposables was significantly higher among patients with S&S than those with non-S&S (aOR, 4.3; CI, 1.5-12.0). Patients with S&S were less likely to regularly discard leftover solution compared with controls (aOR, 2.5; CI, 1.1-5.6). CONCLUSIONS The CLRS is a clinical survey tool that can be used to identify risky behaviors and exposures directly associated with an increased risk of S&S events.
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La vaccination anti-méningococcique C chez les étudiants d’une faculté de médecine : couverture et perceptions. ARCH MAL PROF ENVIRO 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.admp.2014.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies have reported that the risk of corneal infectious and inflammatory events (CIEs) with soft contact lens (SCL) wear is highest in late adolescence and early adulthood. This study assesses the associations between patient age and other factors that may contribute to CIEs in young SCL wearers. METHODS After ethics approvals and informed consent, a nonclinical population of young SCL wearers was surveyed in five US cities. Data from 542 SCL wearers aged 12-33 years were collected electronically. Responses were analyzed by age bins (12-14, 15-17, 18-21, 22-25, 26-29, and 30-33 years) using chi-square test. RESULTS The cohort was 34% male and balanced across age bins. There were several significant associations between survey response and age (in bins). Wearers aged 18-21 years reported more recent nights with less than 6 hours of sleep (p < 0.001), more colds/flu (p = 0.049), and higher stress levels (p < 0.001). Wearers 18-21 and those 22-25 years were more likely to wear SCLs when showering (p < 0.001) and also reported more frequent naps with SCLs (p < 0.001). They reported sleeping in SCLs after alcohol use (p = 0.031), when traveling (p = 0.001), and when away from home (p = 0.024). Lower rates of regular hand washing before lens application (p = 0.054) was also associated with these groups. In addition, the relationship between reactive replacement and recommended replacement was dependent on age (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Patient age influences lens wearing behaviors, environmental exposures, and other determinants of health that may contribute to increased CIEs in younger wearers. Targeted, age-specific education should be considered for both new and established SCL wearers.
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Soriano-Gabarró M, Wolter J, Hogea C, Vyse A. Carriage ofNeisseria meningitidisin Europe: a review of studies undertaken in the region. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2014; 9:761-74. [DOI: 10.1586/eri.11.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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What is the evidence for giving chemoprophylaxis to children or students attending the same preschool, school or college as a case of meningococcal disease? Epidemiol Infect 2011; 139:1645-55. [PMID: 21835067 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268811001439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We performed a systematic literature review to assess the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis for contacts of sporadic cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in educational settings. No studies directly compared IMD risk in contacts with/without chemoprophylaxis. However, compared to the background incidence, an elevated IMD risk was identified in settings without a general recommendation for chemoprophylaxis in pre-schools [pooled risk difference (RD) 58·2/10⁵, 95% confidence interval (CI) 27·3-89·0] and primary schools (pooled RD 4·9/10⁵, 95% CI 2·9-6·9) in the ~30 days after contact with a sporadic IMD case, but not in other educational settings. Thus, limited but consistent evidence suggests the risk of IMD in pre-school contacts of sporadic IMD cases is significantly increased above the background risk, but lower than in household contacts (pooled RD for household contacts with no chemoprophylaxis vs. background incidence: 480·1/10⁵, 95% CI 321·5-639·9). We recommend chemoprophylaxis for pre-school contacts depending on an assessment of duration and closeness of contact.
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Van Woerden HC, Evans MR, Mason BW, Nehaul L. Using facsimile cascade to assist case searching during a Q fever outbreak. Epidemiol Infect 2006; 135:798-801. [PMID: 17064456 PMCID: PMC2870620 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268806007333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In September 2002, facsimiles were sent to 360 primary-care physicians alerting them to a local outbreak of Q fever. The physicians subsequently submitted serology samples on significantly more patients than in a previously comparable period in 2001. Facsimile cascade assists effective communication with primary-care physicians in an outbreak investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- H C Van Woerden
- Department of Epidemiology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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Estep M. Meningococcal meningitis in critical care: an overview, new treatments/preventions, and a case study. Crit Care Nurs Q 2005; 28:111-21. [PMID: 15875442 DOI: 10.1097/00002727-200504000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal meningitis (MM) is a disease process that can become insidious and deadly in a short amount of time if not properly diagnosed. New and effectively known treatments and preventions are the key to improve recovery. The Neisseria meningitidis (NM) bacteria is the culprit in the MM discussed in this article. The pathophysiology, symptoms, and assessment are important to review, as well as typical antibiotic therapy and other treatments. Morbidity and mortality is affected by the improvement of these therapies. Critical care nurses must correctly and prudently assess their patients quickly for rapid response to treatment. The vaccine for the NM bacteria associated with the serotype B is not available at this time. College freshmen are the most vulnerable population in contracting the disease because of small living spaces and lifestyle habits that increase their association with the disease. The issue of prophylactically giving the vaccine is controversial but may become necessary because of the increase in incidence in the last 5 years on college campuses. Chemoprophylaxis efficacy may also be of help to those healthcare workers exposed as well as to those individuals at high risk for contracting the disease after an exposure. Public health concerns with community and college campus participation and education can be key to a sense of well-being among those possible individuals who may be exposed. Steroid, coagulapathy, and immunotherapy, as well as other new treatments, are worth investigating and pursuing in these times of increased risk to certain vulnerable populations of people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Estep
- Critical Care Services, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
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De Wals P, Deshaies P, De Serres G, Duval B, Goulet L, Pouliot B, Ricard S, Poulin M. Risk and prevention of meningococcal disease among education workers: A review. Can J Infect Dis 2004; 15:89-93. [PMID: 18159482 PMCID: PMC2094960 DOI: 10.1155/2004/370415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2003] [Accepted: 01/22/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of the present study were to review the risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) among education workers, particularly pregnant women, and to evaluate preventive measures, in a context of endemicity, outbreak or epidemic as observed in the province of Quebec. The literature was reviewed and persons in charge of IMD surveillance in France, Quebec, the United Kingdom and the United States were interviewed. Surveys of asymptomatic carriage of Neisseria meningitidis show that transmission among students is higher than transmission between students and teachers. IMD incidence among education workers was analyzed in Cheshire (United Kingdom) in the period from 1997 to 1999, and the results indicated a risk six times higher than that in the general population. Overestimation of the magnitude of the risk is possible because the analysis focused on a cluster. None of the population-based studies of IMD mentioned a risk of secondary cases among education workers. Six IMD cases in education workers were identified in five clusters in schools in the United Kingdom, but not in the other countries. There is no epidemiological study on IMD risk among pregnant women, and this factor was not mentioned in any published review of IMD. Immunization of education workers at the beginning of their employment, using serogroup C glycoconjugate vaccine or a combined A, C, W-135, and Y conjugate vaccine (still under development), could reduce IMD risk, but the cost effectiveness of this measure should be evaluated. The societal benefit of excluding pregnant women from the work place during an outbreak seems to be very low, even if disease risk could be decreased for this specific group. When chemoprophylaxis is indicated for the control of an outbreak in an educational setting, treatment should be offered both to students and teachers in the group at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe De Wals
- Institut national de Santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
- Département de Médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec
- Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
| | - Pierre Deshaies
- Département clinique de santé publique de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis et Direction de santé publique de Chaudière-Appalache, Lévis, Quebec
| | - Gaston De Serres
- Institut national de Santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
- Département de Médecine sociale et préventive, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec
- Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
| | - Bernard Duval
- Institut national de Santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
- Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
| | - Lise Goulet
- Institut national de Santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
- Département de Médecine sociale et préventive, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Bernard Pouliot
- Régie régionale de la santé et des services sociaux du Bas-St-Laurent, Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec
| | - Sylvie Ricard
- Institut national de Santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
| | - Maurice Poulin
- Institut national de Santé publique du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec
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De Wals P. Should university students be vaccinated against meningococcal disease in Canada? Can J Infect Dis 2004; 15:25-8. [PMID: 18159440 PMCID: PMC2094918 DOI: 10.1155/2004/740537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2003] [Accepted: 11/28/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the benefit and costs of vaccination of university students against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Canada. METHODS Published studies were reviewed and a simulation model was used. RESULTS IMD risk seems to be of low magnitude, but consequences can be dramatic. Over a 10-year period, IMD risk reduction would be slightly greater using a monovalent C conjugate vaccine than a quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine. From a societal perspective, costs per quality-adjusted life-years gained would be between $135,000 and $698,000, according to epidemiological scenarios and with vaccine purchase prices between $35 and $50 per dose. CONCLUSIONS Economic indices exceed proposed criteria for cost effective public health programs, but from the perspective of students and parents, the cost of vaccination might be worth the benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe De Wals
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Laval University and National Institute of Public Health, Quebec City, Quebec
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