Pneumococcal meningitis in Greece: A retrospective serotype surveillance study in the post-PCV13 era (2010-2020).

BACKGROUND: As Greece is a country which has introduced the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) both in the infant and in the adult immunization programs, the aim of the study was to investigate age-specific and serotype-specific trends of pneumococcal meningitis over an 11-year period (2010-2020). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data are reported from pneumococcal meningitis cases [notified to the National Public Health Organization (NPHO)], with clinical samples and bacterial isolates sent for pneumococcal identification and serotyping at the National Meningitis Reference Laboratory (NMRL). Pneumococcal identification was performed directly on clinical samples or bacterial isolates by multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay, while serotyping was carried out by application of the Capsular Sequence Typing (CST) method with the combination of single tube PCR assays. RESULTS: A total of 427 pneumococcal meningitis cases were notified to the NPHO between 2010 and 2020. Among those, 405 (94.8%) were microbiologically confirmed, while samples from 273 patients were sent to the NMRL for identification and/or further typing. The annual notification rate peaked at 0.47/100,000 in 2016 and since then has been decreasing. The incidence was highest in infants and in older adults. Pneumococcal serotypes were identified in 260/273 (95.2%) cases, where clinical samples were sent to the NMRL. The most prevalent serotypes (≥5%) were 3, 19A, 23B, 15B/C, 11A/D, 23A, 22F. During the study period there has been a decrease of PCV13 serotypes combined with an increase of non-PCV13 serotypes (p = 0.0045). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report serotypes for pneumococcal meningitis across all ages in the post-PCV13 era in Greece. There is a need to enhance surveillance, by close monitoring of the emerging serotypes and the impact of vaccination programs. Higher-valency PCVs may help to improve the coverage of pneumococcal disease.

Severe thrombocytopenic purpura due to brucellosis.

A case of severe thrombocytopenic purpura as the sole manifestation of brucellosis in an 11-y-old boy is presented. Clinical examination was negative and laboratory tests revealed anemia, leukopenia and severe thrombocytopenia. The initial diagnosis was idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and intravenous gamma globulin was given. A prompt hematological response was observed. However, on the fifth day after admission, blood culture yielded Brucella which could not be serotyped. The boy was subsequently treated with intravenous gentamicin, oral doxycycline and rifampicin and was discharged in good health. Brucellosis has occasionally been associated with mild hematological abnormalities such as anemia and leukopenia. Thrombocytopenia is rare and only in very rare cases it is severe enough to cause bleeding. Prompt recognition of this complication of brucellosis and aggressive therapy are essential, especially if there is a family history of brucellosis or if there is suspicion of exposure to infected food products.