Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 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

A decade of invasive meningococcal disease surveillance in Poland

Anna Skoczyńska1, Izabela Waśko, Alicja Kuch

  • 1National Reference Centre for Bacterial Meningitis, Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Warsaw, Poland.

Plos One
|August 27, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology in Poland showed changes over a decade, with serogroup B and C strains being most common. Increased detection is linked to improved surveillance and diagnostics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a primary cause of severe invasive illness.
  • Understanding invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology is crucial for public health.
  • This study focuses on laboratory-confirmed IMD cases in Poland.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Poland.
  • To analyze trends in IMD over a ten-year period (2002-2011).
  • To identify causative serogroups and genetic profiles of meningococcal isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 1936 laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal disease cases from 2002-2011.
  • Bacterial isolate characterization: identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), porA and fetA sequencing.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) used for direct meningococcal identification from clinical samples.

Main Results:

  • Serogroup B and C meningococci were predominant, causing 48.8% and 36.6% of cases, respectively.
  • Highest incidence observed in children under one year; case fatality rate was 10.0% in 2010-2011.
  • Seven serogroup C (ST-11) outbreaks occurred, primarily affecting adolescents. Isolates showed high susceptibility to cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin.

Conclusions:

  • Changes in IMD detection over time are attributed to enhanced surveillance systems.
  • Improved case definitions and inclusion of non-culture diagnostics influenced incidence reporting.
  • Continued monitoring of IMD epidemiology is essential for effective control strategies.

More Related Videos

Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/4306:06

Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43

Published on: September 11, 2020

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...
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...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
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...
Principles of Disease Surveillance01:26

Principles of Disease Surveillance

Disease surveillance is the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data essential to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice. This process integrates data dissemination to entities responsible for preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. Surveillance systems provide crucial information for action, helping public health authorities make informed decisions to manage and prevent outbreaks, ensure public safety, optimize...