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[Meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2010]
Natalia Parda1, Aleksandra Polkowska
1Zakład Epidemiologii, Narodowego Instytutu Zdrowia Publicznego - Państwowego Zakładu Higieny w Warszawie. nparda@pzh.gov.pl
Introduction:
Annually 2 000-3 000 cases of meningitis and encephalitis are notified to the Polish surveillance system. The leading etiologic agents of the bacterial infections are: N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae type B and L. monocytogenes. The most common causes of bacterial infections in children are: E. coli, S. agalactiae and H. influenzae type B. The viral infections are mainly caused by the following pathogens: Echovirus, Coxsackie virus group A and B. The agents responsible for the viral infections are also: arboviruses, Herpes simplex virus and mumps virus.
Objectives:
The objectives of the present article are to analyze the epidemiology of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2010 and to present the information on the vaccines used to prevent the discussed infections.
Material And Methods:
The analysis was based on the data retrieved from the questionnaires used for the surveillance purposes, aggregated data on meningitis and encephalitis published in "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2010", aggregated data on the vaccination coverage published in "Vaccinations in Poland in 2010", "Case definitions for the infectious diseases used for the surveillance purposes in 2009-2011" and Polish Immunization Programme for 2010.
Results:
In 2010, Poland reported 3 063 neuroinfections--nearly 22% more than in 2009. The incidence rate was 8.03 cases per 100 000 population. From the analysis of data transpired that of the notified cases, 1 619 were of viral etiology, 846--were bacterial and 598 of other or unknown origin. Given the bacterial infections of determined etiology, the leading pathogenic agent was S. pneumoniae (180 cases), following by N. meningitidis (146 cases) and Haemophilus influenzae typu B (11 cases). Among confirmed cases of the viral infections, the predominant were tick-borne encephalitis cases (294).
Conclusions:
Compared to the data from 2009, the epidemiologic situation of the meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2010 has not changed significantly.
Insights
In 2010, Poland reported over 3,000 cases of meningitis and encephalitis, with viral infections like tick-borne encephalitis being predominant. The overall epidemiological situation remained similar to the previous year.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Meningitis and encephalitis pose a significant public health challenge in Poland, with thousands of cases notified annually.
- Common bacterial agents include *N. meningitidis*, *S. pneumoniae*, and *H. influenzae* type B, while viral causes involve enteroviruses, arboviruses, and herpes simplex virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiology of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland during 2010.
- To present information regarding vaccines available for preventing these neuroinfections.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of surveillance data, including questionnaires and aggregated reports on infectious diseases and vaccination coverage in Poland for 2010.
- Utilized official case definitions for infectious diseases and the Polish Immunization Programme for 2010.
Main Results:
- Poland reported 3,063 neuroinfections in 2010, a 22% increase from 2009, with an incidence rate of 8.03 per 100,000 population.
- Viral etiologies accounted for 1,619 cases, bacterial for 846, and 598 were of unknown origin. *Streptococcus pneumoniae* was the leading bacterial agent, while tick-borne encephalitis was the most common viral infection.
- Vaccination coverage data was also analyzed in conjunction with disease incidence.
Conclusions:
- The epidemiological situation of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2010 showed no significant changes compared to 2009.
- Continued surveillance and vaccination efforts remain crucial for managing these potentially severe infections.
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