Mathematical modelling of infection and disease due to Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica.
Int J Epidemiol
; 29(1): 180-8, 2000 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10750621
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Invasive meningococcal disease, due to Neisseria meningitidis, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in young children and adolescents. Nasopharyngeal carriage of meningococci (MC), is most prevalent in young adults whereas carriage of Neisseria lactamica (LC), a related non-pathogenic organism, is most prevalent in young children. The objective of this study was to use modelling techniques to test hypotheses on the processes that govern the incidence of meningococcal disease (MD).METHODS:
Deterministic compartmental models were fitted to age structured data sets of MC, LC and MD.RESULTS:
The model most consistent with the available data sets is one where LC inhibits MC, an inhibition that lasts for a mean of 4.7 years. The hypothesis that LC also acts as a natural immunogen against MD was consistent with this model. The second peak of MD observed among adolescents could be due to the peak in the acquisition of MC in this age group.CONCLUSIONS:
The role of LC as a natural immunogen against asymptomatic and symptomatic meningococcal infection was consistent with available field data. If the introduction of novel meningococcal vaccines into a population changes the prevalence of MC or LC, this could have a substantial impact on the effectiveness of immunization programmes. This paper demonstrates the potential utility of modelling to estimate these effects.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Portador Sadio
/
Infecções Meningocócicas
/
Neisseria meningitidis
Tipo de estudo:
Incidence_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2000
Tipo de documento:
Article