Epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in Lombardy Region in the period 2000-2006

New Microbiol. 2007 Jul;30(3):340-5.

Abstract

Epidemiological study of bacterial meningitis, particularly those forms susceptible to vaccination, is an indispensable tool in choosing vaccination strategies. Lombardy Region, where approximately 20% of the Italian population resides, has conducted an in-depth study on invasive meningococcal diseases and pneumococcal meningitis using available health statistics and performing a control of single cases to achieve complete knowledge of the phenomenon. The results, relating to the period 2000-2006, indicate limited incidence rates both for the general population and childhood age groups that do not justify hypotheses of a universal offering of the specific vaccines. However, the healthcare system must equip itself with additional tools for the identification of the serogroups and serotypes responsible for disease as a further support for possible choices modifying the current vaccination policies.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Haemophilus influenzae / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / epidemiology*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / epidemiology
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / microbiology
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / microbiology
  • Meningitis, Pneumococcal / epidemiology
  • Meningitis, Pneumococcal / microbiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neisseria meningitidis / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / isolation & purification