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Epidemiology and Clinical Outcomes of Bacterial Meningitis in Children and Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Salvador Villalpando-Carrión1, Andrés F Henao-Martínez2, Carlos Franco-Paredes1,3
1Hospital Infantil de México, Federico Gómez, Doctor Marquéz No. 162, Col. Doctores, Delegación Cuauhtémoc, 06720 CDMX, Mexico City, CP, Mexico.
Purpose Of Review:
Despite the availability of effective vaccines against the three primary pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and Neisseria meningitidis) that cause bacterial meningitis, this condition remains a significant cause of morbidity, neurologic sequelae, and mortality among children and adults living in low-income and middle-income countries.
Recent Findings:
Bacterial meningitis represents a significant public health challenge for national and global health systems. Since vaccine-preventable meningitis remains highly prevalent in low-income and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently developed a global roadmap to defeating meningitis by 2030 and ameliorating its associated neurological sequelae.
Summary:
There is a need for a global approach to surveillance and prevention of bacterial meningitis. Increasing vaccination coverage with conjugate vaccines against pneumococcus and meningococcus with optimal immunization schedules are high-value healthcare interventions. Additionally, overcoming diagnostic challenges and the early institution of empirical antibiotic therapy and, when feasible, adjunctive steroid therapy constitutes the pillars of reducing the disease burden of bacterial meningitis in resource-limited settings.
Insights
Despite available vaccines, bacterial meningitis remains a major cause of illness and death in low-income countries. Global efforts are needed for surveillance, prevention, and treatment to reduce its burden.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis continues to cause significant morbidity, neurological deficits, and mortality globally.
- Vaccine-preventable meningitis remains highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a global roadmap to combat meningitis by 2030.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current challenges and strategies for bacterial meningitis control.
- To highlight the importance of global surveillance and prevention efforts.
- To discuss interventions for reducing the disease burden in resource-limited settings.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on bacterial meningitis epidemiology, vaccines, and treatment.
- Analysis of global health strategies and recommendations.
- Identification of key interventions for prevention and management.
Main Results:
- Effective vaccines exist for key meningitis pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis).
- Despite vaccines, meningitis remains a critical health issue in LMICs.
- Optimal immunization schedules and early interventions are crucial.
Conclusions:
- A coordinated global approach to meningitis surveillance and prevention is essential.
- Increasing vaccination coverage with conjugate vaccines is a high-priority intervention.
- Addressing diagnostic challenges and ensuring timely antibiotic and steroid therapy are vital for reducing mortality and sequelae.
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