Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

[Childhood bacterial meningitis trends in Japan from 2007 to 2008]

Keisuke Sunakawa1, Fuminori Sakai, Yuriko Hirao

  • 1Kitasato Institute for Life Science & Graduate School of Infection Control Science, Kitasato University.

Kansenshogaku Zasshi. the Journal of the Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases
|February 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric bacterial meningitis in Japan, primarily caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, shows increasing drug resistance. Early treatment strategies vary by age, with specific antibiotic recommendations for infants and older children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology

Context:

  • Bacterial meningitis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide.
  • Understanding the etiological agents and antimicrobial resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
  • This study focuses on the epidemiology of pediatric bacterial meningitis in Japan between 2007 and 2008.

Purpose:

  • To describe the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in Japanese children.
  • To identify the causative pathogens and their age distribution.
  • To assess antimicrobial resistance patterns and inform treatment guidelines.

Summary:

  • A total of 287 pediatric bacterial meningitis cases were recorded in Japan from January 2007 to December 2008, with a rate of 1.54-1.62 per 1,000 pediatric hospitalizations annually.
  • Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequent pathogen, followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B streptococcus (GBS), and Escherichia coli. Pathogen distribution varied by age, with GBS and E. coli prevalent in infants under 4 months, and H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae in older children.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed significant drug resistance: 51% of H. influenzae and 56.5% of S. pneumoniae isolates were resistant in 2008.

Impact:

  • The findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of bacterial meningitis pathogens and resistance trends in pediatric populations.
  • Treatment guidelines should consider age-specific pathogen prevalence and documented resistance patterns.
  • This data can inform public health interventions and optimize empirical antibiotic therapy for pediatric bacterial meningitis in Japan.

More Related Videos

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat08:27

Non-Invasive Model of Neuropathogenic Escherichia coli Infection in the Neonatal Rat

Published on: October 29, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...