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[Characteristics of meningococcal meningitis in children in France]

C Levy1, M-K Taha, C Weill Olivier

  • 1GPIP (Groupe de Pathologie Infectieuse Pédiatrique) de la SFP (Société Française de Pédiatrie), 27 rue Inkermann, F94100 Saint Maur des Fossés, France. activ@activfrance.fr

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|March 10, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Meningococcal meningitis remains a significant threat in French children, accounting for half of bacterial meningitis cases. Vaccination against serogroups B and C could substantially reduce the impact of this serious infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology

Context:

  • Meningococcal meningitis constitutes 50% of pediatric bacterial meningitis in France.
  • An active surveillance network (GPIP/ACTIV) was established to monitor meningococcal meningitis.
  • Data from 2001-2007 from 252 French pediatric wards and 166 microbiology labs were analyzed.

Purpose:

  • To analyze the epidemiological, clinical, and biological features of meningococcal meningitis in children in France.
  • To document risk factors, clinical presentation, vaccination status, and treatment outcomes.
  • To assess the case fatality rate and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.

Summary:

  • Over 1300 cases of meningococcal meningitis were reported, predominantly in children under 5 years old.
  • Serogroup B was the most common (59.1%), followed by Serogroup C (28.9%).
  • Case fatality rate was 6.6%, higher for Serogroup C (9.9%) than Serogroup B (5.5%).

Impact:

  • This study represents one of the largest series of microbiologically documented meningococcal meningitis cases.
  • Findings highlight the significant burden of meningococcal disease in French children.
  • Effective vaccination strategies targeting serogroups B and C are crucial for reducing disease incidence and mortality.

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