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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown on invasive meningococcal disease

Muhamed-Kheir Taha1, Ala-Eddine Deghmane2

  • 1Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit and the National Reference Centre for Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae, Paris, France. mktaha@pasteur.fr.

BMC Research Notes
|August 29, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The study found that COVID-19 was associated with an increase in respiratory-linked invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases, particularly in the elderly. However, hyperinvasive IMD cases decreased during the lockdown period.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited data exist on the link between SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and secondary bacterial infections.
  • Previous research noted associations between influenza and invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between COVID-19 and IMD.
  • To assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on IMD incidence.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of IMD cases reported to the French National Reference Centre between January 1-May 15, 2020, and the same periods in 2018 and 2019.
  • Analysis of IMD case characteristics, including association with respiratory symptoms, age group, and causative isolates.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in IMD cases with respiratory presentations was observed in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019.
  • These 2020 cases primarily affected the elderly and involved unusual meningococcal isolates.
  • Conversely, IMD cases caused by hyperinvasive meningococcal isolates declined during the lockdown.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest a potential association between COVID-19 and specific types of IMD.
  • The study highlights the need for enhanced IMD surveillance and increased anti-meningococcal vaccination, especially among the elderly.
Keywords:
InfectionInvasive meningococcal diseaseRespiratory presentationsSARS-CoV-2, COVID-19Typing

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