Quel suivi à long terme pour quels patients ? Séquelles des méningites bactériennes chez l’enfant et chez l’adulte : incidence, types, modes d’évaluation

Persistent headaches one year after bacterial meningitis: prevalence, determinants and impact on quality of life

BACKGROUND

Little is known on headaches long-term persistence after bacterial meningitis and on their impact on patients' quality of life.

METHODS

In an ancillary study of the French national prospective cohort of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults (COMBAT) conducted between February 2013 and July 2015, we collected self-reported headaches before, at onset, and 12 months (M12) after meningitis. Determinants of persistent headache (PH) at M12, their association with M12 quality of life (SF 12), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) and neuro-functional disability were analysed.

RESULTS

Among the 277 alive patients at M12 87/274 (31.8%), 213/271 (78.6%) and 86/277 (31.0%) reported headaches before, at the onset, and at M12, respectively. In multivariate analysis, female sex (OR: 2.75 [1.54-4.90]; p < 0.001), pre-existing headaches before meningitis (OR: 2.38 [1.32-4.30]; p < 0.01), higher neutrophilic polynuclei percentage in the CSF of the initial lumbar puncture (OR: 1.02 [1.00-1.04]; p < 0.05), and brain abscess during the initial hospitalisation (OR: 8.32 [1.97-35.16]; p < 0.01) were associated with M12 persistent headaches. Neither the responsible microorganism, nor the corticoids use were associated with M12 persistent headaches. M12 neuro-functional disability (altered Glasgow Outcome Scale; p < 0.01), M12 physical handicap (altered modified Rankin score; p < 0.001), M12 depressive symptoms (p < 0.0001), and M12 altered physical (p < 0.05) and mental (p < 0.0001) qualities of life were associated with M12 headaches.

CONCLUSION

Persistent headaches are frequent one year after meningitis and are associated with quality of life alteration.

CLINICAL TRIAL

NCT01730690.

Cost-Effectiveness of Pneumococcal Vaccination in Adults in Italy: Comparing New Alternatives and Exploring the Role of GMT Ratios in Informing Vaccine Effectiveness

In Italy, a sequential pneumococcal vaccination with conjugate vaccine (PCV) and polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) is recommended for individuals aged ≥ 65 years and those at risk for pneumococcal disease (PD) aged ≥ 6 years. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of the new vaccines, i.e., approved 15-valent and 20-valent PCVs. A published Markov model was adapted to evaluate the lifetime cost-effectiveness of vaccination with PCV15 + PPSV23 versus PCV13 + PPSV23, PCV20 alone, PCV20 + PPSV23, and No Vaccination. Simulated cohorts representing the Italian population, including individuals aged ≥ 65 years, those at risk aged 50-100 years, and those deemed high risk aged 18-100 years were assessed. Outcomes were accrued in terms of incremental PD cases, costs, quality-adjusted life years, life years, and the cost-utility ratio relative to PCV13 + PPSV23. The conservative base case analysis, including vaccine efficacy based on PCV13 data, showed that sequential vaccination with PCV15 or PCV20 in combination with PPSV23 is preferred over sequential vaccination with PCV13 + PPSV23. Especially in the high-risk group, PCV15 + PPSV23 sequential vaccination was dominant over No Vaccination and resulted in an ICUR of €3605 per QALY gained. Including PCV20 + PPSV23 into the comparison resulted in the domination of the PCV15 + PPSV23 and No Vaccination strategies. Additionally, explorative analysis, including the geometric mean titer (GMT) informed vaccine effectiveness (VE) was performed. In the low-risk and high-risk groups, the results of the GMT scenarios showed PCV15 + PPSV23 to be dominant over the other sequential vaccines. These findings suggest that if real-world studies would confirm a difference in vaccine effectiveness of PCV15 and PCV20 versus PCV13 based on GMT ratios, PCV15 + PPSV23 could prove a highly immunogenic and effective vaccination regime for the Italian adult population.

Long-term neuro-functional disability in adult patients with community-acquired bacterial meningitis

PURPOSE

To investigate the prevalence of neuro-functional disability and its determinants 12 months after community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) in adult patients.

METHODS

In a prospective multicenter cohort study (COMBAT), all consecutive cases of CABM were enrolled and followed up for 12 months. Neuro-functional disability at 12 months was evaluated using a combination of the Glasgow Outcome Scale (functional disability), and the modified Rankin Disability Scale (physical disability). Factors associated with neuro-functional disability were identified by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 281 patients, 84 (29.9%) patients exhibited neuro-functional disability at 12 months: 79 (28.1%) with functional disability and 51 (18.1%) with physical disability. Overall, 6 patients (2.1%) died during the follow-up. The most common pathogen identified was Streptococcus pneumoniae (131/272, 48.2%); 77/268 patients (28.7%) had a physical disability at hospital discharge. Factors independently associated with 12-month neuro-functional disability were a pneumococcal meningitis (adjusted OR = 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.3; 6.7]), the presence of a physical disability at hospital discharge (aOR = 2.3; 95%CI = [1.2; 4.4]) and the presence of behavioral disorders at hospital-discharge (aOR = 5.9; 95%CI = [1.6; 28.4]). Dexamethasone use was not significantly associated with neuro-functional disability (OR = 0.2; 95%CI = [< 0.1;1.3]).

CONCLUSION

Neuro-functional disability is frequently reported 12 months after CABM. Detailed neurological examination at discharge is needed to improve the follow-up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01730690.

Cost-effectiveness of the 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for high-risk adults in Switzerland

BACKGROUND

: Vaccination against pneumococcal disease (PD) has shown a favourable cost-effectiveness profile for national immunization programs in multiple countries. While vaccination efforts have concentrated on children, many adults with underlying illnesses face elevated risks of PD and death. A 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (V114) is currently available that offers protection against 15 different serotypes and can be used in adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

: We examined the cost-effectiveness of V114 vaccination in high-risk adults, aged 18+, in Switzerland. To this end, a Markov model was constructed estimating the lifetime direct medical costs and clinical effectiveness of V114 vaccination on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (NBPP) among high-risk adults.

RESULTS

: Considering 60% vaccine uptake and direct effects of vaccination, in total 760 IPD and 4,396 NBPP in- and outpatient cases could be prevented. Vaccinating high-risk adults with V114 led to CHF 37.4 million additional vaccination costs but saved CHF 14.4 million of medical treatment costs. V114 vaccination produced a gain of 2,095 QALYs and 6,320 LYs compared with no vaccination, leading to incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of CHF 17,866/QALY and CHF 15,616/QALY gained from a health care payer and societal perspective, respectively.

Conclusions: This evidence justifies the implementation of V114 vaccination among high-risk adults in Switzerland.

Pneumococcal Meningitis and Its Sequelae - A Devastating CNS Disease

Introduction

In countries where Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine is used, Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in young children and notable cause of morbidity/mortality. The authors present material of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with pneumococcal meningitis from archive of Department of Diagnostic Imaging of Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw.

Materials and methods

We performed 27 brain MRI scans and 1 follow-up computed tomography (CT) in 10 children (2 girls and 8 boys) aged from neonate to 5 years at disease onset with proven pneumococcal infection.

Results

Follow-up period range was 0–12 years. Two children underwent only one MRI, one of them died before follow-up and the other was lost from further observation. There was one case of relatively benign disease course with mild changes on MRI. In another seemingly benign case, acute transient hydrocephalus was observed. Six children developed hydrocephalus, and two required ventriculoperitoneal shunting complicated by neuroinfection, shunt malfunction and revisions. Two patients developed epilepsy. In six children, spastic paresis of various severity was diagnosed, up to quadriplegia in one who is under the longest observation (>12 years) and survived in vegetative state. Three other children suffer from delayed psychomotor development to severe intellectual disability.

Conclusions

MRI shows perfectly the degree of central nervous system (CNS) damage during and after pneumococcal invasion. Despite appropriate treatment, disease course may be unpredictably serious. Attempts to eliminate the obligation to vaccinate are extremely irresponsible taking into account potential danger of death, vegetative state or another form of severe damage to CNS. Social and financial costs of care of survivors are very high with shunts placements and changes, (neuro)infections, rehabilitation, families breakdown, etc.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of revaccination and catch-up strategies with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) in older adults in Japan

OBJECTIVE

In Japan, the National Immunization Program (NIP) includes PPV23 as the primary vaccination for adults and catch-up cohorts. The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases recommends revaccination for older adults who received primary vaccination ≥5 years earlier. The cost-effectiveness of adding revaccination and/or continuing catch-up vaccination in the NIP was evaluated from the public payer perspective in Japan.

METHODS

The Markov model included five health states: no pneumococcal disease, invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), non-bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (NBPP), post-meningitis sequelae, and death. Cohorts of adults aged 65-95 were followed until age 100 or death: 2014 cohort (aged 65-95, vaccinated: 2014); 2019 cohort (aged 65: 2019); and 2019 catch-up cohort (aged 70-100: 2019, unvaccinated: 2014). Strategies included: (1) vaccinate 2014 and 2019 cohorts; (2) vaccinate 2014 and 2019 cohorts and revaccinate both; (3) strategy 1 and vaccinate 2019 catch-up cohort; (4) strategy 2 and vaccinate 2019 catch-up cohort; and (5) strategy 4 and revaccinate 2019 catch-up cohort. Parameters were retrieved from global and Japanese sources, costs and QALYs discounted at 2%, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) estimated.

RESULTS

Strategy 1 had the highest number of IPD and NBPP cases, and strategy 5 the lowest. Strategies 3-5 dominated strategy 1 and strategy 2 was cost-effective compared to strategy 1 (ICER: ¥1,622,153 per QALY gained). At a willingness-to-pay threshold of ¥5 million per QALY gained, strategy 2 was cost-effective and strategies 3-5 were cost-saving compared to strategy 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Strategies including revaccination, catch-up, or both were cost-effective or cost-saving in comparison to no revaccination and no catch-up. Results can inform future vaccine policies and programs in Japan.

Cost-effectiveness of vaccinating the elderly and at-risk adults with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the UK

OBJECTIVE

The introduction of routine childhood vaccination with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) has led to a decrease in the overall incidence of pneumococcal disease in all ages and a change in the serotype distribution of the remaining disease. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating ≥65 years and at risk adults with either the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) or the 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in the UK, accounting for epidemiological changes.

METHODS

A population-based Markov model was used to track one UK-based cohort of individuals assuming PPV23, PCV13 or no vaccination until death.

RESULTS

The ICER was estimated at £8413 when PPV23 was compared to no vaccination. PPV23 dominated PCV13.

CONCLUSION

This model suggests that vaccinating with PPV23 is cost-effective when compared to both PCV13 and no vaccination. As PPV23 covers 80-90% in the UK of all serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal diseases, it remains cost-effective despite recent reductions in invasive pneumococcal diseases incidence in adults.

Surveillance of bacterial meningitis in the country of Georgia, 2006-2010

Bacterial meningitis remains important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in developing countries. This study analyzed the data from sentinel surveillance for bacterial meningitis among children <5 years of age hospitalized in largest children's hospital in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia and adult patients hospitalized in infectious diseases hospital during 2006-2010 with suspected bacterial meningitis. The surveillance is conducted by National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDCPH). The number of patients with identified organism was 127 (19 %). In the subsample of patients with laboratory confirmed bacterial meningitis Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated organism (67 cases, 52.8 %), followed by. influenza (17 cases, 13.4 %) and Neisseria meningitidis (16 cases, 12.6 %). The number of patients with suspected TB meningitis was 27 (21.3 %). The overall case fatality rate in the subgroup of patients with identified organism was 12.3 %. The highest mortality was observed among TB patients (22.2 %) with 14.3 % mortality for N. meningitidis and 10.3 % for S. pneumoniae. No lethal outcome was observed among patients with Haemophilus influenzae.

Cost-effectiveness of vaccinating adults with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) in Germany

The introduction of routine infant vaccination against pneumococcal disease has resulted in a decreased overall invasive pneumococcal disease incidence in adults but also a change in invasive pneumococcal disease serotypes. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) in Germany in this context. A population-based Markov model was developed. A cohort of adults currently eligible for vaccination was followed until death. Adult vaccination with PPV23 was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €17,065/quality-adjusted life years gained from the third-party payer's perspective. Univariate sensitivity analyses showed that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was below €50,000/quality-adjusted life years gained in most test scenarios. The model suggests that adult PPV23 vaccination is cost effective in Germany, due to its broad serotype coverage. This is despite epidemiological changes in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes caused by wider use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines during childhood.

A public health and budget impact analysis of vaccinating at-risk adults and the elderly against pneumococcal diseases in Germany

To assess the comparative public health and budget impact over 5 years of several pneumococcal vaccination strategies (23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [PPV23] and/or 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV13]) in Germany, within the context of changing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence over time. A multi-cohort, population-based Markov model was developed. Uncertainty around vaccine effectiveness, costs and IPD incidence change was handled through scenario analyses. Between 2012 and 2016, the introduction of PCV13 in adults, compared with the use of PPV23, would be associated with a net estimated budget increase of €59.7 million (+6.7%) to €151.6 million (+13.7%). Impact on IPD incidence ranged from -113 cases (-0.8%) to +298 cases (+2.8%). Introducing PCV13 in adults is expected to significantly affect healthcare budgets. Adult vaccination with PPV23 remains the optimal vaccination strategy from public health and budget perspectives.

Toll-like receptor 9 polymorphisms are associated with severity variables in a cohort of meningococcal meningitis survivors

BACKGROUND

Genetic variation in immune response genes is associated with susceptibility and severity of infectious diseases. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to develop meningococcal meningitis (MM). The aim of this study is to compare genotype distributions of two TLR9 polymorphisms between clinical severity variables in MM survivors.

METHODS

We used DNA samples of a cohort of 390 children who survived MM. Next, we determined the genotype frequencies of TLR9 -1237 and TLR9 +2848 polymorphisms and compared these between thirteen clinical variables associated with prognostic factors predicting adverse outcome of bacterial meningitis in children.

RESULTS

The TLR9 -1237 TC and CC genotypes were associated with a decreased incidence of a positive blood culture for Neisseria (N.) meningitidis (p = 0.014, odds ratio (OR) 0.5. 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3 - 0.9). The TLR9 +2848 AA mutant was associated with a decreased incidence of a positive blood culture for N. meningitidis (p = 0.017, OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3 - 0.9). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocytes per μL were higher in patients carrying the TLR9 -1237 TC or CC genotypes compared to carriers of the TT wild type (WT) (p = 0.024, medians: 2117, interquartile range (IQR) 4987 versus 955, IQR 3938). CSF blood/glucose ratios were lower in TLR9 -1237 TC or CC carriers than in carriers of the TT WT (p = 0.017, medians: 0.20, IQR 0.4 versus 0.35, IQR 0.5). CSF leukocytes/μL were higher in patients carrying the TLR9 +2848 AA mutant compared to carriers of GG or GA (p = 0.0067, medians: 1907, IQR 5221 versus 891, IQR 3952).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified TLR9 genotypes associated with protection against meningococcemia and enhanced local inflammatory responses inside the central nervous system, important steps in MM pathogenesis and defense.