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Childhood bacterial meningitis in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 2002-2004

Jamsran Mendsaikhan1, James P Watt, Osman Mansoor

  • 1World Health Organization, Mongolia Office, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|February 5, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Haemophilus influenzae type b is the primary cause of childhood bacterial meningitis in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with higher incidence rates than previously reported in Asia. These findings support the use of the H. influenzae type b conjugate vaccine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Childhood bacterial meningitis is a severe, vaccine-preventable disease.
  • Limited data exists on childhood bacterial meningitis in Northeast and Central Asia.
  • This study addresses the incidence and causes of bacterial meningitis in Mongolian children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and etiology of childhood bacterial meningitis in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
  • To provide crucial data for public health interventions and vaccine strategies.
  • To establish baseline data for monitoring the impact of vaccination programs.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective, population-based, active hospital surveillance was conducted.
  • Clinical data, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from children aged 2 months to 5 years.
  • Laboratory testing was performed at two reference laboratories in Ulaanbaatar.

Main Results:

  • The average annual incidence of confirmed and probable bacterial meningitis was 68 per 100,000 children.
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis incidence was 28 per 100,000 (40 adjusted).
  • Pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis rates were 11 and 13 per 100,000, respectively.

Conclusions:

  • Hib is the leading cause of childhood bacterial meningitis in Ulaanbaatar.
  • The incidence rate in Ulaanbaatar is higher than in other Asian countries.
  • Data supports the introduction of the Hib conjugate vaccine in Mongolia; ongoing surveillance is recommended.

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