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Risk Factors for Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease Among College Students
Lauren M Weil1,2, Samuel J Crowe2, Amy B Rubis2
1Epidemic Intelligence Service Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Background:
College students are at increased risk for invasive meningococcal disease, but which students are most at risk is unclear.
Methods:
US meningococcal disease cases in persons aged 18-24 years during 2014-2017 were included. Patients were classified as undergraduate students or other persons. Incidence in different student and non-student populations was compared.
Results:
During 2014-2017, 229 meningococcal disease cases were reported in persons aged 18-24 years; 120 were in undergraduate students. Serogroup B accounted for 74% of cases in students. Serogroup B disease incidence was 4-fold higher in undergraduate students, 11.8-fold higher among first-year undergraduate students, and 8.6-fold higher among residence hall residents versus non-undergraduates. During outbreaks, students affiliated with Greek life had a 9.8-fold higher risk of disease compared to other students. A significantly higher party school ranking was observed for schools with sporadic or outbreak cases when compared to schools with no cases.
Conclusions:
The findings of increased disease risk among first-year students and those living on campus or affiliated with Greek life can inform shared clinical decision-making for serogroup B vaccines to prevent this rare but serious disease. These data also can inform school serogroup B vaccination policies and outbreak response measures.
Insights
College students face higher risks for meningococcal disease, especially serogroup B. First-year students, those in residence halls, and Greek life members are most vulnerable, necessitating targeted vaccination strategies.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- College students are a population at increased risk for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).
- Identifying specific subgroups of college students most vulnerable to IMD is crucial for targeted prevention.
- Serogroup B is a significant cause of IMD in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the incidence of meningococcal disease among undergraduate students and other young adults.
- To identify specific risk factors and subgroups within the college population experiencing higher IMD incidence.
- To inform vaccination strategies and public health interventions for IMD prevention in college settings.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of US meningococcal disease cases in individuals aged 18-24 years from 2014-2017.
- Classification of cases into undergraduate students and other persons.
- Comparison of disease incidence across different student and non-student populations, including subgroups like first-year students, residence hall residents, and those affiliated with Greek life.
Main Results:
- A total of 229 IMD cases were reported in 18-24 year olds; 120 were in undergraduate students.
- Serogroup B accounted for 74% of student cases, with incidence 4-fold higher in undergraduates.
- Significantly higher incidence was observed in first-year students (11.8-fold), residence hall residents (8.6-fold), and students in Greek life during outbreaks (9.8-fold).
- Schools with sporadic or outbreak cases had higher "party school" rankings.
Conclusions:
- First-year undergraduate students, residence hall occupants, and those affiliated with Greek life are at substantially increased risk for serogroup B meningococcal disease.
- Findings support shared clinical decision-making for serogroup B vaccines.
- Data can guide school vaccination policies and enhance outbreak response measures for IMD prevention.
