[Pediatric Haemophilus influenzae type b meninngitis in Hefei city: an epidemiologic study]

To obtain epidemiologic information about Hib meningitis from Hefei.

Data were collected from 1990 to 1992 by a coordinative group including 13 hospitals. All children with a clinical diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis were enrolled and specimens were taken for etiologic studies. CSF and blood were tested by standard bacteriologic technique. CSF, blood and concentrated urine were tested directly for detecting antigen by CIE. The data were analysed by epidemiologic methods.

Of 60 cases of bacterial meningitis clinically diagnosed, 31 (51.7%) were CIE positive for Hib antigen. Only 3 cases of CSF culture were positive for Hib. The annual incidence of Hib meningitis in Hefei was culculated as 4.81/100,000 children younger than 15 years and 10.66/100,000 children younger than 5 years. The case fatality rate was 9.7%. 21.4% of survivors suffered from neurological or psychological problems.

Using antigen detection combined with bacterial culture, we could make etiologic diagnosis in 90% of the cases. Hib is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis, but the incidence is much lower than in most parts of the world.