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The burden and impact of severe and long-term sequelae of meningococcal disease

Andrew Vyse1, Andrea Anonychuk, Anne Jäkel

  • 1GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, Wavre, Belgium. andrew.x.vyse@gsk.com

Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|June 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Meningococcal disease (MD) has a high fatality rate and survivors often face severe long-term health issues, impacting quality of life. Vaccination is crucial for prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Meningococcal disease (MD), caused by Neisseria meningitidis, remains a significant global health concern.
  • Despite advancements in medical care, MD continues to present with high case fatality rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on the severity and long-term sequelae of meningococcal disease.
  • To highlight the substantial risks of mortality and lasting health consequences associated with MD.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Medline and Embase.
  • Search terms included "meningococcal disease," "Neisseria meningitidis," "severity," "mortality," and "sequelae."

Main Results:

  • Case fatality for MD remains high, typically 5-10%, even with optimal medical treatment.
  • Survivors frequently experience long-term sequelae, including physical impairments (e.g., amputations, scarring), neurological deficits, cognitive and behavioral changes, and psychological issues.
  • Survivors report a significantly lower quality of life, with effects persisting from childhood into adulthood.

Conclusions:

  • Meningococcal disease poses a substantial risk of mortality and severe long-term sequelae.
  • Physicians must recognize these risks to effectively manage patients.
  • The findings strongly support the implementation of preventative strategies, particularly vaccination, to reduce the burden of MD.

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