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Influenza A and meningococcal disease

K A Cartwright1, D M Jones, A J Smith

  • 1Public Health Laboratory, Gloucester Royal Hospital, UK.

Lancet (London, England)
|August 31, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Influenza A outbreaks may increase the risk of meningococcal disease. This study found a significant association, suggesting influenza A suppresses immunity, making individuals more vulnerable to meningococcal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Anecdotal evidence suggests a link between influenza and meningococcal disease outbreaks.
  • A notable rise in meningococcal infections followed an influenza A outbreak in England and Wales in late 1989.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between influenza A outbreaks and subsequent meningococcal disease incidence.
  • To quantify the risk of meningococcal disease following an influenza A epidemic.

Main Methods:

  • Case-control study design comparing patients with meningococcal disease to age-matched controls.
  • Serological testing to detect recent influenza A infection in study participants.

Main Results:

  • Patients with meningococcal disease were significantly more likely to have serological evidence of recent influenza A infection (OR=3.9, 95% CI 1.2-13.9).
  • The association was observed approximately two weeks after the influenza A outbreak.

Conclusions:

  • Influenza A infection appears to increase the susceptibility to meningococcal disease, likely due to induced immune suppression.
  • Public health strategies should consider this association, preparing for increased meningococcal disease risk during influenza A epidemics.

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