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Kolobova I, Nyaku MK, Karakusevic A, Bridge D, Fotheringham I, O'Brien M. Burden of vaccine-preventable diseases among at-risk adult populations in the US. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2054602. [PMID: 35446725 PMCID: PMC9225203 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2054602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Life-course immunization holds significant benefit for population health by reducing the burden of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) through vaccinating individuals at different stages and circumstances in life. The study aimed to determine the epidemiologic, clinical, economic, and societal burden of VPDs among at-risk adult subpopulations in the United States. A systematic literature review was conducted for articles published between January 2010 and June 2020, which identified 72 publications. There was heterogeneity in available epidemiology data, with the prevalence of VPDs ranging from 1.1% to 68.7%. Where the disease burden was described, outcomes were typically worse among high-risk subpopulations than in the general population. Several VPDs, including herpes zoster, meningococcal, and pneumococcal infections were associated with increased costs. This review suggests that subpopulations may not frequently interact with the healthcare system, or their risk factors may not be recognized by healthcare providers, and therefore individuals may not be appropriately targeted for vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kolobova
- Center for Observational and Real World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Mawuli Kwame Nyaku
- Center for Observational and Real World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | - Megan O'Brien
- Center for Observational and Real World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
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Kolobova I, Nyaku MK, Karakusevic A, Bridge D, Fotheringham I, O'Brien M. Vaccine uptake and barriers to vaccination among at-risk adult populations in the US. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2055422. [PMID: 35536017 PMCID: PMC9248946 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2055422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To reduce morbidity and mortality associated with vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD), it is imperative that vaccination programs are implemented and prioritized throughout all stages of life across all populations. This study aimed to determine vaccine uptake and barriers to vaccination against VPDs among at-risk adult populations in the United States. We conducted a systematic literature review for articles published between January 2010 and June 2020 and identified 153 publications. The review identified 17 at-risk populations. Vaccine uptake was suboptimal among many populations, with factors including age, gender, and disease severity, associated with uptake. This review identified several barriers that impact vaccine uptake among at-risk populations, with concerns over safety, vaccine costs, lack of insurance, and lack of provider recommendation commonly reported across populations. Embracing a national life-course immunization framework that integrates developing policies, guidelines, and education would be a step to addressing these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Kolobova
- Center for Observational and Real World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Mawuli Kwame Nyaku
- Center for Observational and Real World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | - Megan O'Brien
- Center for Observational and Real World Evidence, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
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Jones JL, Tse F, Carroll MW, deBruyn JC, McNeil SA, Pham-Huy A, Seow CH, Barrett LL, Bessissow T, Carman N, Melmed GY, Vanderkooi OG, Marshall JK, Benchimol EI. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for Immunizations in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-Part 2: Inactivated Vaccines. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol 2021; 4:e72-e91. [PMID: 34476339 PMCID: PMC8407486 DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The effectiveness and safety of vaccinations can be altered by immunosuppressive therapies, and perhaps by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) itself. These recommendations developed by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and endorsed by the American Gastroenterological Association, aim to provide guidance on immunizations in adult and pediatric patients with IBD. This publication focused on inactivated vaccines. METHODS Systematic reviews evaluating the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines in patients with IBD, other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, and the general population were performed. Critical outcomes included mortality, vaccine-preventable diseases, and serious adverse events. Immunogenicity was considered a surrogate outcome for vaccine efficacy. Certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Key questions were developed through an iterative online platform, and voted on by a multidisciplinary group. Recommendations were formulated using the Evidence-to-Decision framework. Strong recommendation means that most patients should receive the recommended course of action, whereas a conditional recommendation means that different choices will be appropriate for different patients. RESULTS Consensus was reached on 15 of 20 questions. Recommendations address the following vaccines: Haemophilus influenzae type b, recombinant zoster, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumococcus, meningococcus, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, and human papillomavirus. Most of the recommendations for patients with IBD are congruent with the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommendations for the general population, with the following exceptions. In patients with IBD, the panel suggested Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine for patients older than 5 years of age, recombinant zoster vaccine for adults younger than 50 year of age, and hepatitis B vaccine for adults without a risk factor. Consensus was not reached, and recommendations were not made for 5 statements, due largely to lack of evidence, including double-dose hepatitis B vaccine, timing of influenza immunization in patients on biologics, pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines in adult patients without risk factors, and human papillomavirus vaccine in patients aged 27-45 years. CONCLUSIONS Patients with IBD may be at increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases. Therefore, maintaining appropriate vaccination status in these patients is critical to optimize patient outcomes. In general, IBD is not a contraindication to the use of inactivated vaccines, but immunosuppressive therapy may reduce vaccine responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Jones
- Department of Medicine and Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie
University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center,
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Frances Tse
- Division of Gastroenterology and Farncombe Family Digestive Health
Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew W Carroll
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition,
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jennifer C deBruyn
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Departments of Pediatrics and
Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary,
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shelly A McNeil
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie
University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Anne Pham-Huy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Allergy, Department of
Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of
Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia H Seow
- Division of Gastroenterology, Departments of Medicine and Community
Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary,
Alberta, Canada
| | - Lisa L Barrett
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie
University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Talat Bessissow
- Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health
Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicholas Carman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Division of Gastroenterology,
Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Eastern
Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gil Y Melmed
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Otto G Vanderkooi
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Pediatrics,
Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Pathology and Laboratory
Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta
Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary,
Alberta, Canada
| | - John K Marshall
- Division of Gastroenterology and Farncombe Family Digestive Health
Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric I Benchimol
- Department of Pediatrics and School of Epidemiology and Public Health,
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
- CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Division of Gastroenterology,
Hepatology and Nutrition, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and CHEO
Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
- ICES Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
SickKids Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Division of
Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Child
Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, ICES,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Jones JL, Tse F, Carroll MW, deBruyn JC, McNeil SA, Pham-Huy A, Seow CH, Barrett LL, Bessissow T, Carman N, Melmed GY, Vanderkooi OG, Marshall JK, Benchimol EI. Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Clinical Practice Guideline for Immunizations in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-Part 2: Inactivated Vaccines. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:681-700. [PMID: 34334167 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The effectiveness and safety of vaccinations can be altered by immunosuppressive therapies, and perhaps by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) itself. These recommendations developed by the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology and endorsed by the American Gastroenterological Association, aim to provide guidance on immunizations in adult and pediatric patients with IBD. This publication focused on inactivated vaccines. METHODS Systematic reviews evaluating the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines in patients with IBD, other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, and the general population were performed. Critical outcomes included mortality, vaccine-preventable diseases, and serious adverse events. Immunogenicity was considered a surrogate outcome for vaccine efficacy. Certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations were rated according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Key questions were developed through an iterative online platform, and voted on by a multidisciplinary group. Recommendations were formulated using the Evidence-to-Decision framework. Strong recommendation means that most patients should receive the recommended course of action, whereas a conditional recommendation means that different choices will be appropriate for different patients. RESULTS Consensus was reached on 15 of 20 questions. Recommendations address the following vaccines: Haemophilus influenzae type b, recombinant zoster, hepatitis B, influenza, pneumococcus, meningococcus, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, and human papillomavirus. Most of the recommendations for patients with IBD are congruent with the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommendations for the general population, with the following exceptions. In patients with IBD, the panel suggested Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine for patients older than 5 years of age, recombinant zoster vaccine for adults younger than 50 year of age, and hepatitis B vaccine for adults without a risk factor. Consensus was not reached, and recommendations were not made for 5 statements, due largely to lack of evidence, including double-dose hepatitis B vaccine, timing of influenza immunization in patients on biologics, pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccines in adult patients without risk factors, and human papillomavirus vaccine in patients aged 27-45 years. CONCLUSIONS Patients with IBD may be at increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases. Therefore, maintaining appropriate vaccination status in these patients is critical to optimize patient outcomes. In general, IBD is not a contraindication to the use of inactivated vaccines, but immunosuppressive therapy may reduce vaccine responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Jones
- Department of Medicine and Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Frances Tse
- Division of Gastroenterology and Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew W Carroll
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jennifer C deBruyn
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Departments of Pediatrics and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shelly A McNeil
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Anne Pham-Huy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cynthia H Seow
- Division of Gastroenterology, Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lisa L Barrett
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Talat Bessissow
- Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicholas Carman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gil Y Melmed
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Otto G Vanderkooi
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Pediatrics, Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - John K Marshall
- Division of Gastroenterology and Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric I Benchimol
- Department of Pediatrics and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, CHEO Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and CHEO Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, ICES Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, SickKids Inflammatory Bowel Disease Centre, Division of Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, The Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Borre ED, Diab MM, Ayer A, Zhang G, Emmett SD, Tucci DL, Wilson BS, Kaalund K, Ogbuoji O, Sanders GD. Evidence gaps in economic analyses of hearing healthcare: A systematic review. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 35:100872. [PMID: 34027332 PMCID: PMC8129894 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hearing loss is a common and costly medical condition. This systematic review sought to identify evidence gaps in published model-based economic analyses addressing hearing loss to inform model development for an ongoing Lancet Commission. METHODS We searched the published literature through 14 June 2020 and our inclusion criteria included decision model-based cost-effectiveness analyses that addressed diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of hearing loss. Two investigators screened articles for inclusion at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Data were abstracted and the studies were assessed for the qualities of model structure, data assumptions, and reporting using a previously published quality scale. FINDINGS Of 1437 articles identified by our search, 117 unique studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of these model-based analyses were set in high-income countries (n = 96, 82%). The evaluated interventions were hearing screening (n = 35, 30%), cochlear implantation (n = 34, 29%), hearing aid use (n = 28, 24%), vaccination (n = 22, 19%), and other interventions (n = 29, 25%); some studies included multiple interventions. Eighty-six studies reported the main outcome in quality-adjusted or disability-adjusted life-years, 24 of which derived their own utility values. The majority of the studies used decision tree (n = 72, 62%) or Markov (n = 41, 35%) models. Forty-one studies (35%) incorporated indirect economic effects. The median quality rating was 92/100 (IQR:72-100). INTERPRETATION The review identified a large body of literature exploring the economic efficiency of hearing healthcare interventions. However, gaps in evidence remain in evaluation of hearing healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, as well as in investigating interventions across the lifespan. Additionally, considerable uncertainty remains around productivity benefits of hearing healthcare interventions as well as utility values for hearing-assisted health states. Future economic evaluations could address these limitations. FUNDING NCATS 3UL1-TR002553-03S3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan D. Borre
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Mohamed M. Diab
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Austin Ayer
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Gloria Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Susan D. Emmett
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Debara L. Tucci
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Blake S. Wilson
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kamaria Kaalund
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Osondu Ogbuoji
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Center for Policy Impact in Global Health, Duke Global Health Institute, Durham NC, United States
| | - Gillian D. Sanders
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke University Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham NC, United States
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Corresponding author at: Gillian Sanders Schmidler, PhD, Duke-Robert J. Margolis, MD, Center for Health Policy, 100 Fuqua Drive, Box 90120, Durham, NC 27708-0120.
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Agüero F, Masuet-Aumatell C, Morchon S, Ramon-Torrell JM. Men who have sex with men: A group of travellers with special needs. Travel Med Infect Dis 2018; 28:74-80. [PMID: 30399444 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Agüero
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Medical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Masuet-Aumatell
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Medical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergio Morchon
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Medical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Ramon-Torrell
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Medical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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A Review of Global Epidemiology and Response to Meningococcal Disease Outbreaks among Men Who Have Sex with Men, 2001–2018. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40471-018-0170-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Millar BC, Moore PJA, Moore JE. Meningococcal disease: has the battle been won? J ROY ARMY MED CORPS 2016; 163:235-241. [PMID: 28039342 DOI: 10.1136/jramc-2016-000695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal disease is a worldwide life-threatening infection associated in many cases with debilitating long-term sequelae, both within the military and civilian populations. Military recruits are at a higher risk of acquiring this infection due to numerous factors, such as young recruits in the age group 18-25 years, high carriage rates of meningococci, communal and crowed living quarters and global deployment or training in regions with different meningococcal serogroup epidemiology. Although these increased risk factors among young recruits remain, the increased incidence of disease is now historic. Numerous outbreaks have been reported among military personnel, however although the incidence of the disease continues to decrease, there are still sporadic cases. The non-specific symptoms, sudden onset and rapid progression of the infection results in a limited time frame to both diagnose and successfully treat the patient. Many developments have been made in relation to the microbiological diagnosis of the disease, particularly in the era of molecular diagnostics, which have the potential to diagnose the infection more quickly. Developments in vaccinology, and in particular with relation to biotechnology and reverse vaccinology, have led to the availability of new meningococcal vaccines, further enabling disease prevention. This paper outlines the history of meningococcal disease in relation to the military and highlights the new developments in both diagnostics and vaccination, which have the potential to diagnose, treat and control meningococcal disease in a more efficient manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverley C Millar
- Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK
| | - P J A Moore
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - J E Moore
- Northern Ireland Public Health Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, UK.,School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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