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Epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease in Austria 2010

Georg Steindl1, Yu-Lun Liu, Daniela Schmid

  • 1Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, National Reference Centre for Meningococci, Graz, Austria. georg.steindl@ages.at

Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift
|September 22, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) surveillance in Austria shows a declining trend for Serogroup B but an increasing trend for Serogroup C. This highlights the need for targeted vaccination strategies against meningococcal disease.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a primary cause of meningitis and sepsis globally.
  • Monitoring invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is crucial for public health.
  • A laboratory-based surveillance database is maintained by the Austrian National Reference Centre for Meningococci.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the epidemiology of IMD in Austria from 1995 to 2010.
  • To identify trends in IMD incidence by serogroup, time, place, and person.
  • To inform public health interventions and vaccination strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory-based surveillance data from IMD isolates across Austria (1995-2010).
  • Characterization using serological and molecular methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Statistical analysis including log-linear regression for long-term trends and cyclic regression for seasonal patterns.

Main Results:

  • IMD incidence varied between 0.73 and 1.41/100,000 persons over 16 years.
  • Serogroup B IMD incidence showed a decreasing trend (AAPC: -2.1%), while Serogroup C increased (AAPC: +4.3%).
  • In 2010, 80 IMD cases were recorded; Serogroup B was predominant, followed by C, Y, and W-135.

Conclusions:

  • Despite overall incidence below the 15-year average in 2010, Serogroup C IMD is rising in Austria.
  • Vaccination campaigns targeting Serogroup C have been initiated in two provinces.
  • Further research on vaccination impact may support inclusion in public childhood immunization programs.

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