Estimating costs of care for meningitis infections in low- and middle-income countries

Inequitable Distribution of Global Economic Benefits from Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination

Many low- and middle-income countries have been slow to introduce the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) into their routine childhood immunization schedules despite a high burden of disease. We estimated the global economic surplus of PCV, defined as the sum of the net value to 194 countries (i.e., monetized health benefits minus net costs) and to vaccine manufacturers (i.e., profits). We further explored the distribution of global economic surplus across country income groups and manufacturers and the effect of different pricing strategies based on cross-subsidization, pooled procurement, and various tiered pricing mechanisms. We found that current PCV pricing policies disproportionately benefit high-income countries and manufacturers. Based on the 2021 birth cohort, high-income countries and manufacturers combined received 76.5% of the net economic benefits generated by the vaccine. Over the two decades of PCV availability, low- and middle-income countries have not received the full economic benefits of PCV. Cross-subsidization of the vaccine price for low- and middle-income countries and pooled procurement policies that would relate the vaccine price to the value of economic benefits generated for each country could reduce these inequalities. This analysis offers important considerations that may improve the equitable introduction and use of new and under-utilized vaccines.

The Evaluation of the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel for the Detection of Bacteria and Yeast in Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens

Background and objective Infectious meningitis and encephalitis are serious diseases that can have fatal consequences, especially in the case of bacterial meningitis. Molecular biology has made it possible to quickly introduce appropriate treatment. Our study aims to evaluate the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Panel (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, Utah) implemented in our department compared to traditional methods. Material and methods This was a retrospective single-center study conducted in the Department of Bacteriology of Mohammed V Military Training Hospital, Rabat, for a period of four years. All cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with symptoms of meningitis or meningoencephalitis submitted to the laboratory for cytobacteriological analysis were included in the study. Conventional analysis has been compared with molecular biology.  Results The overall agreement rate with FilmArray in our study was 86%. The sensitivity to Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was 100%. And for Cryptococcus neoformans it was 83% in our study. Conclusion In summary, this technique can be used to diagnose bacterial meningitis more sensitively than with conventional techniques, while at the same time allowing a rapid and efficacious patient's treatment.

Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid levels for ALOX5, S100B, DEFA1, and GFAP in infectious meningitis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine how the levels of peptide and protein-based biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid change in bacterial, tuberculous, and aseptic meningitis, and to determine the success of these agents in distinguishing between different types of infectious meningitis.

METHODS

The levels of arachidonate-5-lipoxygenase, S100 calcium-binding protein B, defensin-α 1, and glial fibrillary acidic protein in cerebrospinal fluid samples from 20 tuberculosis, 40 bacterial, 25 aseptic meningitis patients, and 55 control groups were measured and compared using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 37.9 ± 14.4 years. The parameter that contributed the most to the differential diagnosis of the infectious meningitis groups was S100 calcium-binding protein B. The S100 calcium-binding protein B levels were significantly higher in the tuberculous meningitis group than in the other groups, and arachidonate-5-lipoxygenase levels were significantly higher in the tuberculous meningitis and bacterial meningitis groups (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that cerebrospinal fluid arachidonate-5-lipoxygenase, and S100 calcium-binding protein B levels may differ in bacterial, aseptic, and tuberculous meningitis, and the results obtained may be quite effective as important potential biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of different types of meningitis.

An Integrative Approach to Investigate the Mode of Action of (-)-Dendroparishiol in Bacterial Meningitis: Computer-Aided Estimation of Biological Activity and Network Pharmacology

Bacterial meningitis remains one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide. Although advances in medical care have improved mortality and morbidity, neurological complications remain high. Therefore, aside from antibiotics, therapeutic adjuvants targeting neuroinflammation are essential to combat the long-term neuronal sequelae of bacterial meningitis. In the present study, we propose (-)-dendroparishiol as a potential add-on therapy to improve neuroinflammation associated with bacterial meningitis. The biological activity of (-)-dendroparishiol was first predicted by computational analysis and further confirmed in vitro using a cell-based assay with LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells. Biological pathways involved with (-)-dendroparishiol were identified by applying network pharmacology. Computational predictions of biological activity indicated possible attenuation of several inflammatory processes by (-)-dendroparishiol. In LPS-induced BV-2 microglial cells, (-)-dendroparishiol significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory mediators: iNOS, NO, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α. Molecular docking results demonstrated the potential iNOS and COX-2 inhibitory activity of (-)-dendroparishiol. Network pharmacological analysis indicated the plausible role of (-)-dendroparishiol in biological processes involved in oxidative stress and neuroinflammation with enrichment in neuroinflammatory pathways. Overall, this study provides scientific evidence for the potential application of (-)-dendroparishiol in the management of bacterial meningitis-associated neuroinflammation.

Perceptions of and Preparedness for the Application of Pharmacoeconomics in Practice, among Final Year Bachelor of Pharmacy Students in South Africa: A National Cross-Sectional Study

For the improvement of access to health, many countries including South Africa, have adopted universal healthcare. However, this requires skills to apply health technology assessments for the facilitation of investment decisions. This study aimed to ascertain final year Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) students' perceptions of the relevance of pharmacoeconomics in pharmacy practice, and their level of preparedness to apply pharmacoeconomic principles, using a quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive design. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire over 12 months, and included student demographics, knowledge about pharmacoeconomics and its applicability in practice, as well as students' satisfaction with the appropriateness of the curriculum content. Five of nine universities offering pharmacy education took part. The overallstudent response rate was 38.1% (189/496), with 26.2% (45/172) of students signifying a good understanding of basic pharmacoeconomic concepts. Pharmacoeconomics application in South Africa was perceived to be relevant by 87.5% (140/160); however, 47.0% (79/168) felt they were not prepared to apply pharmacoeconomic principles in medicine management, and 86.7% (137/158) wanted to acquire additional pharmacoeconomic knowledge. Whilst students' perceptions of the relevance of pharmacoeconomics were positive, results indicated a gap in knowledge, understanding, and application. Addressing this gap may increase students' preparedness to apply pharmacoeconomic principles and better equip them for the practical application of pharmacoeconomics post qualification. Consequently, we have started this process.

Microbial aspects and potential markers for differentiation between bacterial and viral meningitis among adult patients

OBJECTIVES

Meningitis is a medical emergency with permanent disabilities and high mortality worldwide. We aimed to determine causative microorganisms and potential markers for differentiation between bacterial and viral meningitis.

METHODOLOGY

Adult patients with acute meningitis were subjected to lumber puncture. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) microorganisms were identified using Real-time PCR. PCT and CRP levels, peripheral and CSF-leucocyte count, CSF-protein and CSF-glucose levels were assessed.

RESULTS

Out of 80 patients, infectious meningitis was confirmed in 75 cases; 38 cases were bacterial meningitis, 34 cases were viral meningitis and three cases were mixed infection. Higher PCT, peripheral and CSF-leukocytosis, higher CSF-protein and lower CSF-glucose levels were more significant in bacterial than viral meningitis patients. Neisseria meningitides was the most frequent bacteria and varicella-zoster virus was the most common virus. Using ROC analyses, serum PCT and CSF-parameters can discriminate bacterial from viral meningitis. Combined ROC analyses of PCT and CSF-protein significantly improved the effectiveness in predicting bacterial meningitis (AUC of 0.998, 100%sensitivity and 97.1%specificity) than each parameter alone (AUC of 0.951 for PCT and 0.996 for CSF-protein).

CONCLUSION

CSF-protein and serum PCT are considered as potential markers for differentiating bacterial from viral meningitis and their combination improved their predictive accuracy to bacterial meningitis.

Hospital-based Surveillance for Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in the Era of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Ghana

Background

Global surveillance for vaccine preventable invasive bacterial diseases has been set up by the World Health Organization to provide disease burden data to support decisions on introducing pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). We present data from 2010 to 2016 collected at the 2 sentinel sites in Ghana.

Methods

Data were collected from children <5 years of age presenting at the 2 major teaching hospitals with clinical signs of meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected and tested first at the sentinel site laboratory with conventional microbiology methods and subsequently with molecular analysis, at the World Health Organization Regional Reference Laboratory housed at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, for identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis, the 3 most common bacteria causing meningitis.

Results

There were 4008 suspected cases of meningitis during the surveillance period, of which 31 (0.8%) were laboratory confirmed. Suspected meningitis cases decreased from 923 in 2010 to 219 in 2016. Of 3817 patients with available outcome data, 226 (5.9%) died. S. pneumoniae was the most common bacterial pathogen, accounting for 68.5% of confirmed cases (50 of 73). H. influenzae and N. meningitidis accounted for 6.8% (5 of 73) and 21.9% (16 of 73), respectively. The proportion of pneumococcal vaccine serotypes causing meningitis decreased from 81.3% (13 of 16) before the introduction of 13-valent PCV (2010–2012) to 40.0% (8 of 20) after its introduction (2013–2016).

Conclusions

Cases of suspected meningitis decreased among children <5 years of age between 2010 and 2016, with declines in the proportion of vaccine-type pneumococcal meningitis after the introduction of 13-valent PCV in Ghana.

Systematic Review on the Acute Cost-of-illness of Sepsis and Meningitis in Neonates and Infants

BACKGROUND

Sepsis and meningitis in neonates and infants are a source of substantial morbidity, mortality and economic loss. The objective of this review is to estimate the acute costs associated with treating sepsis, meningitis and meningococcal septicemia, in neonates and infants, worldwide.

METHODS

The electronic databases Medline, Embase and EconLit were searched and exported on November 24, 2018. Studies that reported an average hospitalization cost for confirmed cases of sepsis, meningitis or meningococcal septicemia were eligible for our review. Descriptive data were extracted and reported costs were inflated and converted. A narrative synthesis of the costs was conducted.

RESULTS

Our review identified 20 studies reporting costs of sepsis, meningitis and/or meningococcal septicemia. Costs ranged from $55 to $129,632 for sepsis and from $222 to $33,635 for meningitis (in 2017 US dollars). One study estimated the cost of meningococcal septicemia to be $56,286. All reported costs were estimated from the perspective of the healthcare provider or payer. Most studies were from the United States, which also had the highest costs. Only a few studies were identified for low- and middle-income countries, which reported lower costs than high-income countries for both sepsis and meningitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Sepsis and meningitis in neonates and infants are associated with substantial costs to the healthcare system and showed a marked difference across global income groups. However, more research is needed to inform costs in low- and middle-income settings and to understand the economic costs borne by families and wider society.

Effect and cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination: a global modelling analysis

BACKGROUND

Introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) has substantially reduced disease burden due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally. However, PCVs are among the most expensive vaccines, hindering their introduction in some settings and threatening sustainability in others. We aimed to assess the effect and cost-effectiveness of introduction of 13-valent PCV (PCV13) vaccination globally.

METHODS

We assessed the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of PCV13 introduction by integrating two models: an ecological model (a parsimonious, mechanistic model validated with data from post-seven-valent PCV introduction in 13 high-income settings) to predict the effect of PCV on childhood invasive pneumococcal disease, and a decision-tree model to predict a range of clinical presentations and economic outcomes under vaccination and no-vaccination strategies. The models followed 30 birth cohorts up to age 5 years in 180 countries from 2015 to 2045. One-way scenario and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were done to explore model uncertainties.

FINDINGS

We estimate that global PCV13 use could prevent 0·399 million child deaths (95% credible interval 0·208 million to 0·711 million) and 54·6 million disease episodes (51·8 million to 58·1 million) annually. Global vaccine costs (in 2015 international dollars) of $15·5 billion could be partially offset by health-care savings of $3·19 billion (2·62 billion to 3·92 billion) and societal cost savings of $2·64 billion (2·13 billion to 3·28 billion). PCV13 use is probably cost-effective in all six UN regions. The 71 countries eligible for support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, account for 83% of PCV13-preventable deaths but only 18% of global vaccination costs. The expected cost of PCV vaccination globally is around $16 billion per year.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings highlight the value of Gavi's support for PCV introduction in low-income countries and of efforts to improve the affordability of PCVs in countries not eligible for, or transitioning from, Gavi support.

FUNDING

World Health Organization; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Potential impact of introducing the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into national immunisation programmes: an economic-epidemiological analysis using data from India

Pneumococcal pneumonia causes an estimated 105 000 child deaths in India annually. The planned introduction of the serotype-based pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is expected to avert child deaths, but the high cost of PCV relative to current vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Programme has been a concern. Cost-effectiveness studies from high-income countries are not readily comparable because of differences in the distribution of prevalent serotypes, population and health systems. We extended IndiaSim, our agent-based simulation model representative of the Indian population and health system, to model the dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This enabled us to evaluate serotype and overall disease dynamics in the context of the local population and health system, an aspect that is missing in prospective evaluations of the vaccine. We estimate that PCV13 introduction would cost approximately US$240 million and avert US$48.7 million in out-of-pocket expenditures and 34 800 (95% CI 29 600 to 40 800) deaths annually assuming coverage levels and distribution similar to DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccination (~77%). Introducing the vaccine protects the population, especially the poorest wealth quintile, from potentially catastrophic expenditure. The net-present value of predicted money-metric value of insurance for 20 years of vaccination is US$160 000 (95% CI US$151 000 to US$168 000) per 100 000 under-fives, and almost half of this protection is for the bottom wealth quintile (US$78 000; 95% CI 70 800 to 84 400). Extending vaccination to 90% coverage averts additional lives and provides additional financial risk protection. Our estimates are sensitive to immunity parameters in our model; however, our assumptions are conservative, and if willingness to pay per years of life lost averted is US$228 or greater, then introducing the vaccine is more cost-effective than our baseline (no vaccination) in more than 95% of simulations.

Models of Disease Vector Control: When Can Aggressive Initial Intervention Lower Long-Term Cost?

Insecticide spraying of housing units is an important control measure for vector-borne infections such as Chagas disease. As vectors may invade both from other infested houses and sylvatic areas and as the effectiveness of insecticide wears off over time, the dynamics of (re)infestations can be approximated by [Formula: see text]-type models with a reservoir, where housing units are treated as hosts, and insecticide spraying corresponds to removal of hosts. Here, we investigate three ODE-based models of this type. We describe a dual-rate effect where an initially very high spraying rate can push the system into a region of the state space with low endemic levels of infestation that can be maintained in the long run at relatively moderate cost, while in the absence of an aggressive initial intervention the same average cost would only allow a much less significant reduction in long-term infestation levels. We determine some sufficient and some necessary conditions under which this effect occurs and show that it is robust in models that incorporate some heterogeneity in the relevant properties of housing units.

Cost-effectiveness of expanding childhood routine immunization against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C, W and Y with a quadrivalent conjugate vaccine in the African meningitis belt

BACKGROUND

Neisseria meningitidis constitutes a major public health problem among countries in the African meningitis belt. Following regional vaccination campaigns for serogroup A and subsequent increases in protection against this serogroup, non-A serogroups such as C and W now pose significant epidemic threats, particularly in young children.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of broadening coverage from conjugate serogroup A to quadrivalent ACWY vaccination.

METHODS

We developed a 40-year Markov state transition model with annual cycles to simulate costs and clinical outcomes in children aged 1 to 10 in the 26 countries of the African meningitis belt. The incidence of CWY meningitis cases among an unvaccinated population was held constant at inter-epidemic rates of 50 per 100,000/year and 150 per 100,000/year. The country-specific cost and probability of access to meningitis care, vaccine efficacy, the mortality risk among treated and untreated meningitis cases, the risk of clinical sequelae and their respective disability weights were based on published sources. Vaccination cost was based on international prices lists, presented in 2014 US$.

RESULTS

At an incidence rate of 50 per 100,000/year, routine conjugate vaccination is highly cost-effective in 14 out of 26 countries with a cost/DALY averted ranging from US$555-US$787. At the higher incidence rate of 150 per 100,000/year, quadrivalent vaccination is cost-effective in all 26 countries with a cost/DALY averted ranging from US$105-US$250. The annual incidence rate at which routine conjugate quadrivalent vaccination is expected to be economically justifiable ranges from 13 per 100,000/year in Nigeria to 142 per 100,000/year in Burundi.

CONCLUSION

Routine quadrivalent conjugate vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis is cost-effective at incidence rates well below the epidemic threshold among children living in the African meningitis belt.

Acute bacterial meningitis in Iran: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Bacterial meningitis persists in being a substantial cause of high mortality and severe neurological morbidity, despite the advances in antimicrobial therapy. Accurate data has not been available regarding the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis particularly in developing countries, yet. Indeed, the present systematic review provides a comprehensive data analysis on the prevalence and epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in Iran.

Methods

We systematically reviewed articles from 1994 to 2015. The reports which contained the prevalence and etiology of acute bacterial meningitis by valid clinical and laboratory diagnosis were comprised in the present study.

Results

Our analysis indicated that Streptococcus pneumoniae (30% [I2 = 56% p < 0.01]), Haemophilus influenza type b (15% [I2 = 82.75% p < 0.001]), coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) (14% [I2 = 60.5% p < 0.06]), and Neisseria meningitidis (13% [I2 = 74.16% p < 0.001]) were the most common cause of acute bacterial meningitis among meningitis cases in Iran. Notably, high frequency rates of nosocomial meningitis pathogens were detected in the present analysis.

Conclusions

It was magnificently attained that the majority of cases for bacterial meningitis in Iran could be avertable by public immunization schemes and by preventive care to inhibit the broadening of hospital acquired pathogens.

[Methods of rapid diagnosis in clinical microbiology: Clinical needs]

The diagnostic methods of infectious diseases should be fast, accurate, simple and affordable. The speed of diagnosis can play a crucial role in healing the patient, allowing the administration of appropriate antibiotic treatment. One aspect that increasingly determines the need for rapid diagnostic techniques is the increased rates of serious infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria, which cause a high probability of error in the empirical treatment. Some of the conventional methods such as Gram staining or antigen detection can generate results in less than 1 hour but lack sensitivity. Today we are witnessing a major change in clinical microbiology laboratories with the technological advances such as molecular diagnostics, digital microbiology and mass spectrometry. There are several studies showing that these changes in the microbiological diagnosis reduce the generation time of the test results, which has an obvious clinical impact. However, if we look into the future, other new technologies which will cover the needs required for a rapid microbiological diagnosis are on the horizon. This review provides an in depth analysis of the clinical impact that the implementation of rapid diagnostic techniques will have on unmet clinical needs.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges and subarachnoid space that can also involve the brain cortex and parenchyma. It can be acquired spontaneously in the community - community-acquired bacterial meningitis - or in the hospital as a complication of invasive procedures or head trauma (nosocomial bacterial meningitis). Despite advances in treatment and vaccinations, community-acquired bacterial meningitis remains one of the most important infectious diseases worldwide. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the most common causative bacteria and are associated with high mortality and morbidity; vaccines targeting these organisms, which have designs similar to the successful vaccine that targets Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis, are now being used in many routine vaccination programmes. Experimental and genetic association studies have increased our knowledge about the pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis. Early antibiotic treatment improves the outcome, but the growing emergence of drug resistance as well as shifts in the distribution of serotypes and groups are fuelling further development of new vaccines and treatment strategies. Corticosteroids were found to be beneficial in high-income countries depending on the bacterial species. Further improvements in the outcome are likely to come from dampening the host inflammatory response and implementing preventive measures, especially the development of new vaccines.

Costs of Neisseria meningitidis Group A Disease and Economic Impact of Vaccination in Burkina Faso

Background. Five years since the successful introduction of MenAfriVac in a mass vaccination campaign targeting 1- to 29-year-olds in Burkina Faso, consideration must be given to the optimal strategies for sustaining population protection. This study aims to estimate the economic impact of a range of vaccination strategies in Burkina Faso.

Methods. We performed a cost-of-illness study, comparing different vaccination scenarios in terms of costs to both households and health systems over a 26-year time horizon. These scenarios are (1) reactive vaccination campaign (baseline comparator); (2) preventive vaccination campaign; (3) routine immunization at 9 months; and (4) a combination of routine and an initial catchup campaign of children under 5. Costs were estimated from a literature review, which included unpublished programmatic documents and peer-reviewed publications. The future disease burden for each vaccination strategy was predicted using a dynamic transmission model of group A Neisseria meningitidis.

Results. From 2010 to 2014, the total costs associated with the preventive campaign targeting 1- to 29-year-olds with MenAfriVac were similar to the estimated costs of the reactive vaccination strategy (approximately 10 million US dollars [USD]). Between 2015 and 2035, routine immunization with or without a catch-up campaign of 1- to 4-year-olds is cost saving compared with the reactive strategy, both with and without discounting costs and cases. Most of the savings are accrued from lower costs of case management and household costs resulting from a lower burden of disease. After the initial investment in the preventive strategy, 1 USD invested in the routine strategy saves an additional 1.3 USD compared to the reactive strategy.

Conclusions. Prevention strategies using MenAfriVac will be significantly cost saving in Burkina Faso, both for the health system and for households, compared with the reactive strategy. This will protect households from catastrophic expenditures and increase the development capacity of the population.

Multicenter Evaluation of BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel for Detection of Bacteria, Viruses, and Yeast in Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of infectious meningitis and encephalitis are critical to minimize morbidity and mortality. Comprehensive testing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) often includes Gram stain, culture, antigen detection, and molecular methods, paired with chemical and cellular analyses. These methods may lack sensitivity or specificity, can take several days, and require significant volume for complete analysis. The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel is a multiplexed in vitro diagnostic test for the simultaneous, rapid (∼1-h) detection of 14 pathogens directly from CSF specimens: Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, human herpesvirus 6, human parechovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii We describe a multicenter evaluation of 1,560 prospectively collected CSF specimens with performance compared to culture (bacterial analytes) and PCR (all other analytes). The FilmArray ME Panel demonstrated a sensitivity or positive percentage of agreement of 100% for 9 of 14 analytes. Enterovirus and human herpesvirus type 6 had agreements of 95.7% and 85.7%, and L. monocytogenes and N. meningitidis were not observed in the study. For S. agalactiae, there was a single false-positive and false-negative result each, for a sensitivity and specificity of 0 and 99.9%, respectively. The specificity or negative percentage of agreement was 99.2% or greater for all other analytes. The FilmArray ME Panel is a sensitive and specific test to aid in diagnosis of ME. With use of this comprehensive and rapid test, improved patient outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship are anticipated.

Rapid Identification and Multiple Susceptibility Testing of Pathogens from Positive-Culture Sterile Body Fluids by a Combined MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and Vitek Susceptibility System

Infections of the bloodstream, central nervous system, peritoneum, joints, and other sterile areas are associated with high morbidity and sequelae risk. Timely initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy is crucial to improving patient prognosis. However, standard final identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests (ASTs) are reported 16–48 h after a positive alert. For a rapid, effective and low-cost diagnosis, we combined matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry with a Vitek AST system, and performed rapid microbial identification (RMI) and rapid multiple AST (RMAST) on non-duplicated positive body fluid cultures collected from a hospital in Shanghai, China. Sterile body fluid positive culture and blood positive culture caused by Gram negative (GN) or polymicrobial were applied to the MALDI–TOF measurement directly. When positive blood culture caused by Gram positive (GP) bacteria or yeasts, they were resuspended in 1 ml brain heart infusion for 2 or 4 h enrichment, respectively. Regardless of enrichment, the RMI (completed in 40 min per sample) accurately identified GN and GP bacteria (98.9 and 87.2%, respectively), fungi (75.7%), and anaerobes (94.7%). Dominant species in multiple cultures and bacteria that failed to grow on the routing plates were correctly identified in 81.2 and 100% of cases, respectively. The category agreements of RMAST results, determined in the presence of various antibiotics, were similarly to previous studies. The RMI and RMAST results not only reduce the turnaround time of the patient report by 18–36 h, but also indicate whether a patient's antibiotic treatment should be accelerated, ceased or de-escalated, and adjusted the essential drugs modification for an optimized therapy.

Neurological sequelae of bacterial meningitis

OBJECTIVES

We reported on occurrence and impact of neurological sequelae after bacterial meningitis.

METHODS

We reviewed occurrence of neurological sequelae in children and adults after pneumococcal and meningococcal meningitis.

RESULTS

Most frequently reported sequelae are focal neurological deficits, hearing loss, cognitive impairment and epilepsy. Adults with pneumococcal meningitis have the highest risk of developing focal neurological deficits, which are most commonly caused by cerebral infarction, but can also be due to cerebritis, subdural empyema, cerebral abscess or intracerebral bleeding. Focal deficits may improve during clinical course and even after discharge, but a proportion of patients will have persisting focal neurological deficits that often interfere in patient's daily life. Hearing loss occurs in a high proportion of patients with pneumococcal meningitis and has been associated with co-existing otitis. Children and adults recovering from bacterial meningitis without apparent neurological deficits are at risk for long-term cognitive deficits. Early identification of neurological sequelae is important for children to prevent additional developmental delay, and for adults to achieve successful return in society after the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurological sequelae occur in a substantial amount of patients following bacterial meningitis. Most frequently reported sequelae are focal neurological deficits, hearing loss, cognitive impairment and epilepsy.

A systematic review of the social and economic burden of influenza in low- and middle-income countries

OBJECTIVES

The economic burden of seasonal influenza outbreaks as well as influenza pandemics in lower- and middle-income countries (LMIC) has yet to be specifically systematically reviewed. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the evidence of influenza economic burden assessment methods in LMIC and to quantify the economic consequences of influenza disease in these countries, including broader opportunity costs in terms of impaired social progress and economic development.

METHODS

We conducted an all language literature search across 5 key databases using an extensive list of key words for the time period 1950-2013. We included studies which explored direct costs (medical and non-medical), indirect costs (productivity losses), and broader economic impact in LMIC associated with different influenza outcomes such as confirmed seasonal influenza infection, influenza-like illnesses, and pandemic influenza.

RESULTS

We included 62 full-text studies in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese languages, mostly from the countries of Latin American and the Caribbean and East Asia and Pacific with pertinent cost data found in 39 papers. Estimates for direct and indirect costs were the highest in Latin American and the Caribbean. Compared to high-income economies, direct costs in LMIC were lower and productivity losses higher. Evidence on broader impact of influenza included impact on the wider national economy, security dimension, medical insurance policy, legal frameworks, distributional impact, and investment flows.

CONCLUSION

The economic burden of influenza in LMIC encompasses multiple dimensions such as direct costs to the health service and households, indirect costs due to productivity losses as well as broader detriments to the wider economy. Evidence from sub-Saharan Africa and in pregnant women remains very limited. Heterogeneity of methods used to estimate cost components makes data synthesis challenging. There is a strong need for standardizing research, data collection and evaluation methods for both direct and indirect cost components.