Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 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

Effect of vaccines on bacterial meningitis worldwide

Peter B McIntyre1, Katherine L O'Brien, Brian Greenwood

  • 1National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Westmead and the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. peter.mcintyre@health.nsw.gov.au

Lancet (London, England)
|November 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines have nearly eliminated Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. Reductions in pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis are less clear, especially in low-income countries.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccinology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Bacterial meningitis is primarily caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis.
  • Assessing vaccine impact is most straightforward for H. influenzae due to a dominant serotype and age group, with reliable data from high-income countries.
  • Pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis present challenges for incidence measurement due to multiple serotypes, varied age distributions, epidemics, and limited surveillance, particularly in low-income settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines against major bacterial meningitis pathogens.
  • To highlight the challenges in measuring vaccine efficacy for diverse pathogens and in varied global settings.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological data and surveillance reports on bacterial meningitis incidence before and after vaccine introduction.
  • Analysis of vaccine effectiveness studies, focusing on H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, and N. meningitidis.

Main Results:

  • Near elimination of H. influenzae meningitis has been observed following vaccine implementation.
  • While vaccine serotypes of pneumococcal meningitis decreased by over 90%, overall all-age meningitis incidence dropped by approximately 25%, with limited data from low-income countries.
  • Serogroup C meningococcal meningitis has been nearly eliminated in several high-income nations, suggesting potential success for new serogroup A vaccines in the African meningitis belt.

Conclusions:

  • Protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines have demonstrated significant success in reducing H. influenzae meningitis.
  • Further research and improved surveillance are needed to fully assess the impact of pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines, especially in resource-limited regions.
  • The success of meningococcal serogroup C vaccines offers promise for controlling other serogroups, including serogroup A, in endemic areas.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice08:52

Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Published on: February 22, 2019

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 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...
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...
Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
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...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
Vaccines01:21

Vaccines

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventive medicine, designed to prepare the immune system to recognize and combat infectious agents. By introducing antigens—substances that the immune system identifies as foreign—vaccines stimulate an adaptive immune response that leads to immunological memory. This immunological memory enables the body to mount a faster and more effective response upon future exposures to the actual pathogen.Vaccines can be categorized based on the type of...