Pneumococcal meningitis: epidemiological profile pre‐ and post‐introduction of the pneumococcal 10‐valent conjugate vaccine

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the possible effects of the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate 10‐valent vaccine schedule in the state of Parana on pneumococcal meningitis cases and to assess the distribution of serotypes among cases. Method: Cross‐sectional study with retrospective data collection of cases of pneumococcal meningitis in the state of Paraná reported to Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), from 1998 to 2011. A total of 1,339 cases of pneumococcal meningitis were analyzed; 1,205 cases from the pre‐vaccine period (1998‐2009) were compared to 134 cases from the post‐vaccine period (2010‐2011). Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses (chi‐squared test and prevalence ratio) were performed using JMP 5.1.2 statistical software (JMP Statistical Discovery, North Carolina, USA) and EPI INFO 6 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Georgia, EUA). Results: There was a significant reduction in the mean rates of incidence and mortality in the general population. The analysis of cases in the pre‐ and post‐vaccination periods in the age groups covered by vaccination (younger than 2 years) showed significant reductions in incidence rates (6.01 cases/100,000 to 2.49 cases/100,000 individuals) and mortality (1.85 cases/100,000 population to 0.47 cases/100,000 population), while the mean lethality rate did not change significantly. There was a significant reduction in cases whose serotypes are included in the vaccine (80.7% to 53.3%). Conclusion: Even after a short time of use, the 10‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has already had a significant impact in reducing the incidence and mortality of meningitis cases among infants, as well as the reduction of cases whose serotypes are included in the vaccine.

Keywords

• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Pneumococcal meningitis
• Invasive pneumococcal disease
• Vaccines