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Meningococcal disease in Italy.
T Stroffolini1, M E Congiu, M Occhionero
1Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
The Journal of Infection
|July 1, 1989
Summary
Nationwide surveillance of meningococcal disease in Italy reduced incidence, especially in military recruits, following vaccination and chemoprophylaxis guidelines. Group C strains were most common, with some antibiotic resistance observed.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Meningococcal disease surveillance initiated in Italy in 1985 to establish prophylaxis guidelines.
- Observed incidence of meningococcal disease was 1.1/100,000 in 1985, decreasing to 0.6/100,000 by 1987.
Purpose of the Study:
- To monitor meningococcal disease trends and inform prophylaxis strategies.
- To evaluate the impact of vaccination and chemoprophylaxis on disease incidence.
Main Methods:
- Nationwide surveillance data collection from 1985 to 1987.
- Analysis of disease incidence, age distribution, serogroup prevalence, and antimicrobial resistance patterns.
- Evaluation of secondary cases and chemoprophylaxis effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in meningococcal disease incidence, particularly among military recruits (17.3/100,000 to 5/100,000).
- Shift in age distribution towards older groups; males predominated cases.
- Serogroup C was most prevalent (72.2%), especially in recruits (92%).
- High resistance to sulphonamides (67%), low resistance to rifampicin and minocycline.
- Secondary cases resulted from chemoprophylaxis failures.
Conclusions:
- Bivalent (A+C) meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine in recruits and effective chemoprophylaxis for contacts are key public health guidelines.
- Surveillance data informed effective control strategies for meningococcal disease.