Influence of serogroup on the presentation, course, and outcome of invasive meningococcal disease in children in the Republic of Ireland, 1995-2000

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 May 15;34(10):1323-30. doi: 10.1086/340050. Epub 2002 Apr 17.

Abstract

To test the hypothesis that the infecting meningococcal serogroup modulates the presentation, course, and outcome of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), we performed a retrospective review of cases of IMD in 407 children from 2 tertiary referral centers and 2 regional centers in Ireland. Patients infected with serogroup C meningococci (n=104) were older than those infected with serogroup B (n=303; median, 2.5 vs. 1.5 years; P=.04); all other demographic and clinical parameters were similar for the 2 groups. Among serogroup B patients, mortality was 3.6% and morbidity was 10%; for serogroup C patients, mortality was 4.8% and morbidity was 12.5% (P=.81 and P=.76, respectively). Serogroup C-associated sequelae more often were multiple (P=.003). Despite the introduction of serogroup C conjugate vaccine into the routine immunization schedule of some countries, ongoing morbidity from IMD is anticipated, because group B disease was very similar to group C disease in this pediatric population.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / immunology
  • Meningococcal Infections / mortality
  • Meningococcal Infections / physiopathology*
  • Serotyping