Abstract
During the last two decades, significant changes have taken place in the epidemiology of meningitis, especially due to the global availability and expanding use of Hib vaccines. The introduction of conjugate Hib vaccine in the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in Oman and recent availability of meningococcal vaccines against serogroups A and C plus the introduction of pneumococcal heptavalent conjugate vaccine are expected to influence the epidemiology of the disease in the country. We conducted this periodic review of acute bacterial meningitis in children younger than five years of age in Oman from January 2000 to December 2005 to reflect changes in the epidemiological pattern of these pathogens. Retrospective analysis of all cases of acute bacterial meningitis in children younger than five years of age reported to the Department of Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Oman. There were 344 cases of meningitis due to suspected bacterial etiologies reported in children younger than 5 years of age. Although Haemophilus influenzae 76 (22%) was the most common pathogen identified during the study period, the incidence of meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae has been dramatically reduced since the introduction of conjugate Hib vaccination in Oman in October 2001. Streptococcus pneumoniae 53 (15%) and Neisseria meningitidis 37 (11%) were the next two leading agents of meningitis respectively. In one hundred seventy four (52%) cases of presumptive bacterial meningitis, the etiologic organism remains unidentified. The peak occurrence of meningitis was in young children younger than one year old. The total male to female ratio was 1.4:1 and the case fatality rate (7 deaths) was 2%. With the introduction of Hib vaccine in Oman in October 2001, the absolute number of cases due to Haemophilus influenzae significantly declined over the years. The incidence of meningitis due to other pathogens such as S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis remains steady. There is significant need to improve laboratory methods of bacterial detection and identification, which will help to formulate better antibiotic policies and strengthen control measures through newly introduced vaccines in Oman.
Highlights
Despite advances in vaccine development, chemoprophylaxis and treatment of acute bacterial meningitis remains a significant cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in children worldwide
According to the Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance Network WHO/AFRO, an estimated 100,000 to 160,000 child deaths per year is attributed to Haemophilus influenzae type B; 250,000 to 400,000 deaths per year is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis is responsible for large epidemics causing thousands of deaths in many western and central African countries [1]
One hundred seventy four cases (52%) of presumptive bacterial meningitis cases in our study remain without final identification of the causative agent (Table 1)
Summary
Despite advances in vaccine development, chemoprophylaxis and treatment of acute bacterial meningitis remains a significant cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. J Infect Developing Countries 2008; 2(2): 112-115 of pneumococcal heptavalent conjugate vaccine are expected to influence the epidemiology of the disease in the country We conducted this periodic review of acute bacterial meningitis to reflect changes in the epidemiological pattern of these pathogens. The introduction of conjugate Hib vaccine in the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in Oman and recent availability of meningococcal vaccines against serogroups A and C plus the introduction of pneumococcal heptavalent conjugate vaccine are expected to influence the epidemiology of the disease in the country We conducted this periodic review of acute bacterial meningitis in children younger than five years of age in Oman from January 2000 to December 2005 to reflect changes in the epidemiological pattern of these pathogens.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
