Bacterial meningitis in patients with sickle cell anemia in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: a report on ten cases

ABSTRACT Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a common genetic blood disorder, affecting millions worldwide. According to current evidence, individuals with SCA have more than 300 times greater risk to develop bacterial meningitis (BM) than the general population. Herein we have described the characteristics of a series of BM cases in SCA patients in Salvador, Brazil, during 13 years of hospital-based surveillance. Data on clinical presentation, laboratory parameters and outcomes were collected retrospectively by reviewing medical records. From 1999 to 2011, ten SCA patients were identified among the 2511 cases of BM (10/2511; 0.40%). These patients were more likely to be male (90%) and to be younger (median age 8.5 years). The causative agents were Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 5) and Haemophilus influenzae (n = 1). The most frequent pneumococcal serotypes were 23 F (2 cases), 14, 18 F, 23B (one case each). Common medical complications were stroke (n = 3); heart failure (n = 2), respiratory problems (n = 2), renal dysfunctions (n = 2) and leg ulcers (n = 1). This study highlights the importance of S. pneumoniae as a causative agent of meningitis in individuals with SCA and shows the diversity of comorbidities associated with this condition.

Bacterial meningitis in patients with sickle cell anemia in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: a report on ten cases.

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a common genetic blood disorder, affecting millions worldwide. According to current evidence, individuals with SCA have more than 300 times greater risk to develop bacterial meningitis (BM) than the general population. Herein we have described the characteristics of a series of BM cases in SCA patients in Salvador, Brazil, during 13 years of hospital-based surveillance. Data on clinical presentation, laboratory parameters and outcomes were collected retrospectively by reviewing medical records. From 1999 to 2011, ten SCA patients were identified among the 2511 cases of BM (10/2511; 0.40%). These patients were more likely to be male (90%) and to be younger (median age 8.5 years). The causative agents were Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=5) and Haemophilus influenzae (n=1). The most frequent pneumococcal serotypes were 23F (2 cases), 14, 18F, 23B (one case each). Common medical complications were stroke (n=3); heart failure (n=2), respiratory problems (n=2), renal dysfunctions (n=2) and leg ulcers (n=1). This study highlights the importance of S. pneumoniae as a causative agent of meningitis in individuals with SCA and shows the diversity of comorbidities associated with this condition.

Cambios en el Patrón Epidemiológico y resistencia Bacteriana de la Meningitis Bacteriana Aguda en Niños en un hospital de referencia

Introducción. Pos-introducción de la vacuna anti-H. influenzae tipo b (HIB) se ha observado en Latinoamérica significantes cambios en el perfil epidemiológico y de la susceptibilidad de los gérmenes causantes de meningitis bacteriana aguda. No se disponen de estudios similares en el Paraguay. Objetivo: Estudiar el panorama epidemiológico actual de la meningitis bacteriana aguda en el Paraguay, posterior a la introducción de la vacuna anti-HIB en el país, en un hospital de referencia. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional y retrospectivo en el que se incluyeron todos los casos de meningitis bacteriana aguda en niños 3 meses hospitalizados en el IMT desde enero de 1993 a junio del 2006. Se analizaron las fichas clínicas de los pacientes (pts) incluyendo datos demográficos, etiológicos y la evolución clínica. Los pts fueron estratificados según el año de hospitalización en tres periodos: Periodo I (PER I), que incluyó los que se hospitalizaron entre 1993 y 1997, PER II entre 1998 y 2002 y PER III del 2003 a 2006. Se determinó la CIM a penicilina (PEN) y cefotaxima (CFX) de los aislados de S. pneumoniae (Spn) por el método ipsilométrico (E-test) realizándose la serotipificación por la reacción de Quellung. Resultados: En el periodo de estudio se hospitalizaron 394 pts con meningitis bacteriana aguda. La edad media fue 2.9 + 4 años, con discreto predominio del sexo masculino (relación 1.2/1). La serotipificación realizada en 31 cepas de Spn (a partir del 2000) mostró que solo 50% de los serotipos correspondieron a los incluidos en la vacuna conjugada antineumocóccica actualmente disponible, siendo el 14 (9/31, 29%) el más frecuente. Conclusiones: La introducción de vacuna anti Hib ha producido un importante cambio epidemiológico de la meningitis bacteriana aguda en nuestra institución, constituyendo actualmente el S. pneumoniae el principal causante de meningitis bacteriana aguda. Se siguen observando, sin embargo, casos esporádicos de meningitis bacteriana aguda por HIB. Aunque se constata un significativo incremento de la resistencia de Spn a PEN, la resistencia a CTX se halla todavía <10%.

Abstract Introduction. Post-introduction of the anti-H. influenzae type b (HIB) vaccine has been observed in Latin America a significant changes in the epidemiological profile and susceptibility of germs that cause acute bacterial meningitis. No similar studies have in Paraguay. Aim: Study the current epidemiological situation of acute bacterial meningitis in a referral hospital after the introduction of Hib vaccine in Paraguay. Materials and methods: observational, retrospective study in which all cases of acute bacterial meningitis in children 3 months hospitalized in the IMT from January 1993 to June 2006 included the medical records of patients were analyzed (pts) including demographics, etiologic and clinical outcome. Pts were stratified by year of hospitalization in three periods: Period I (PER I), which included those who were hospitalized between 1993 and 1997, PER II between 1998 and 2002 and PER 2003 to 2006. III CIM was determined penicillin (PEN) and cefotaxime (CFX) isolates of S. pneumoniae (SPN) for the ipsilométrico method (E-test) carried out by the reaction serotyping Quellung. Results: During the study period 394 pts with acute bacterial meningitis were hospitalized. The mean age was 2.9 ± 4 years, with discreet predominance of males (ratio 1.2 / 1). Serotyping performed in 31 strains of Spn (since 2000) it showed that only 50% corresponded to serotypes included in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine currently available, with 14 (9/31, 29%) the most frequent. Conclusions: The introduction of Hib vaccine has been a major epidemiological change of acute bacterial meningitis in our institution, now constituting the S. pneumoniae the leading cause of acute bacterial meningitis. Are still evident, however, sporadic cases of acute bacterial meningitis HIB. Although a significant increase in resistance of Spn PEN, CTX resistance is observed is still only <10%.

Safety of a quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-CRM) administered with routine infant vaccinations: results of an open-label, randomized, phase 3b controlled study in healthy infants.

BACKGROUND: The highest risk for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is in infants aged <1 year. Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccination has the potential to prevent IMD caused by serogroups A, C, W and Y. This phase 3b, multinational, open-label, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter study evaluated the safety of a 4-dose series of MenACWY-CRM, a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, concomitantly administered with routine vaccinations to healthy infants. METHODS: Two-month-old infants were randomized 3:1 to receive MenACWY-CRM with routine vaccines or routine vaccines alone at ages 2, 4, 6 and 12 months. Adverse events (AEs) that were medically attended and serious adverse events (SAEs) were collected from all subjects from enrollment through 18 months of age. In a subset, detailed safety data (local and systemic solicited reactions and all AEs) were collected for 7 days post vaccination. The primary objective was a non-inferiority comparison of the percentages of subjects with ≥1 severe systemic reaction during Days 1-7 after any vaccination of MenACWY-CRM plus routine vaccinations versus routine vaccinations alone (criterion: upper limit of 95% confidence interval [CI] of group difference <6%). RESULTS: A total of 7744 subjects were randomized with 1898 in the detailed safety arm. The percentage of subjects with severe systemic reactions was 16% after MenACWY-CRM plus routine vaccines and 13% after routine vaccines alone (group difference 3.0% (95% CI -0.8, 6.4%). Although the non-inferiority criterion was not met, post hoc analysis controlling for significant center and group-by-center differences revealed that MenACWY-CRM plus routine vaccinations was non-inferior to routine vaccinations alone (group difference -0.1% [95% CI -4.9%, 4.7%]). Rates of solicited AEs, medically attended AEs, and SAEs were similar across groups. CONCLUSION: In a large multinational safety study, a 4-dose series of MenACWY-CRM concomitantly administered with routine vaccines was clinically acceptable with a similar safety profile to routine vaccines given alone.

Avaliação de resultados discrepantes obtidos na execução de PCR em tempo real em amostras de pacientes com suspeita clínica de meningite bacteriana / Inconsistent results in real-time PCR in analyzing samples from patients with suspected bacterial meningitis

O princípio básico para obter resultado confiável é a compatibilidade entre as réplicas e sua reprodutibilidade. Na rotina diagnóstica por PCR em tempo real (PCR-TR), em que centenas de amostras são processadas, a obtenção de resultados com Cts tardios ou réplicas que diferem entre si por mais de três unidades, são inevitáveis. Das 3.000 amostras processadas em 2010, em duplicata, na rotina diagnóstica das meningites bacterianas por PCR-TR na pesquisa de N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae e H. influenzae,157 (5,2 %), apresentaram inconsistência entre as réplicas (diferença entre Cts maior do que 3) e/ou altos valores de Cts; e os ensaios foram retestados. O presente trabalho investigou estes resultados obtidos, os benefícios destas repetições e as possíveis razões da ocorrência dos resultados discrepantes. Verificou-se que, apenas 18 (11 %) das amostras submetidas à repetição, apresentaram resultados positivos. Erros humanos inerentes à pipetagem, como o uso de pipetas não calibradas, a baixa concentração de DNA alvo nas amostras, a degradação da sonda ou mesmo a possível contaminação aleatória são fatores que contribuem para induzir resultados discrepantes. A realização do ensaio de PCR-TR com amostras em duplicata e a repetição de ensaios com resultados discordantes é um artifício eficiente para avaliar e definir estes resultados.(AU)

The basic principle for obtaining a reliable result is the consistency found among the replicas and its reproducibility. In a diagnostic routine by using real-time PCR (RT-PCR), when hundreds samples are processed, and results with late Cts or replicas that differ by more than three units are inevitable. Of 3,000 samples processed in 2010, in duplicate, in the diagnostic routine of bacterial meningitis by RT-PCR for detecting N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, 157 (5.2 %) samples showed inconsistencyamong replicas (difference between Cts higher than three units) and/or high Cts values; and the samples were retested. This study assessed these results, the benefits of its repetitions and probable reasons for the occurrence of these discrepant results. Among the retested samples, 18 (11 %) only showed positive results. Human errors inherent to pipetting, use of non-calibrated pipettes, low concentration of target DNA in the analyzed samples, probe degradation or even random contamination are factors which contribute to induce the discrepant results. Performing RT-PCR assay with samples in duplicate and retesting thesamples showing discordant results constitute a device for efficiently evaluating and defining these results.(AU)

Incidencia de meningitis y neumonías bacterianas agudas en menores de cinco años: Provincia del Guayas – Ecuador, años 2002 – 2005 / Incidence of meningitis or acute bacterial pneumonias in children less than 5 years old: Province of Guayas – Ecuador, year 2002-2005

Tipo de estudio: prospectivo, descriptivo, longitudinal. Objetivos: determinar la situación epidemiológica de meningitis y neumonías causadas por H. Influenzae tipo b (Hib) y documentar el impacto de la vacuna pentavalente en la incidencia de meningitis y neumonías causadas por Hib. Materiales y métodos: se incluyeron a los niños menores de 5 años que acudieron a la Emergencia del hospital del niño “Dr. Francisco de Ycaza Bustamante” con cuadro clínico sospechoso de meningitis y neumonías bacterianas agudas (MBA y NBA) entre los años 2002 – 2005, a quienes se le realizó punción lumbar con estudio citoquímico y cultivo de LCR; y rx standard de tórax con hemocultivo, respectivamente. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1355 pacientes (206 para meningitis bacteriana aguda y 1119 para neumonía bacteriana aguda) que cumplían con las definiciones de casos sospechosos; al final del período se confirmaron 47 casos de meningitis con aislamiento en laboratorio de haemophilus influenzae; y, de las 487 neumonías bacterianas confirmadas, se aisló en 12 de ellas, el Hib. Así mismo se observó la presencia importante del streptococo pneumoniae como agente causal de 9 casos de meningitis bacteriana y 21 casos de neumonías bacterianas agudas. Conclusiones: el impacto de la vacunación en la reducción de las patologías causadas por el Hib es evidente un año después, a partir del año 2004; así como la tendencia sostenida del streptococo pneumoniae como agente causal de MBA y NBA; la vacuna pentavalente no actúa sobre esta bacteria.

Type of Study: Prospective, descriptive and longitudinal. Objectives: Determine the epidemiology of meningitis and pneumonias caused by H. influenzae type B and Document the impact of immunization in the incindence of meningitis and neumonia caused by Hib. Material and method: Children less than 5 years old who went to the emergency department of “Dr. Francisco de Ycaza Bustamente” Children’s Hospital with a clinical history suspected to be meningitis or acute bacterial pneumonia between the years 2002-2005. This patient underwent lumbar tap for citochemical study and culture of the CSF, a chest x-ray and blood culture. Results: A total of 1355 patients were included in the study in which 206 were diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis and 1119 with acute bacterial pneumonia. At the end of the study 47 cases of meningitis by H. influnenzae was confirmed and 487 bacterial pneumonias were confirmed only 12 were produced by Hib. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the microorganism for 9 of the cases of bacterial meningitis and for 21 of cases of bacteria pneumonia. Conclusions: The impact of immunization in lowering the incidence of these pathologies caused by HiB is evident a year later during year 2004.