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The burden of hospitalizations for meningococcal infection in Spain (1997-2008)

Ruth Gil-Prieto1, Laura García-García, Alejandro Alvaro-Meca

  • 1Department of Preventive Medicine & Public Health & Medical Immunology & Microbiology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain. ruth.gil@urjc.es

Vaccine
|June 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Meningococcal disease, including meningitis and meningococcemia, significantly decreased in Spain from 1997-2008 but remains a key cause of hospitalization and death, particularly in young children. Vaccination against new serogroups could further reduce cases.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) encompasses meningitis and meningococcemia, posing significant public health challenges.
  • Meningococcal infections have historically been a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
  • Understanding temporal trends in IMD is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in hospitalizations and deaths related to invasive meningococcal disease in Spain.
  • To assess the burden of meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia from 1997 to 2008.
  • To identify age groups most affected by meningococcal infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of hospital discharge and death records in Spain.
  • Data collection spanned from 1997 to 2008 for the general population.
  • Calculated annual hospitalization rates per 100,000 population for IMD, meningitis, and meningococcemia.

Main Results:

  • A total of 11,611 hospitalizations and 846 deaths related to IMD were reported.
  • Meningococcal meningitis accounted for 53% of discharges, and meningococcemia for 55%.
  • Annual hospitalization rates were 2.33 (IMD), 1.23 (meningitis), and 1.29 (meningococcemia) per 100,000 population.

Conclusions:

  • Despite a notable decrease in IMD morbidity and mortality over twelve years, these diseases remain significant causes of hospitalization and death in Spain.
  • Children under 2 years of age are particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes from meningococcal infections.
  • Vaccination strategies, including those targeting new serogroups (B and ACYW135), hold promise for further reducing the public health impact of IMD.

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