Outcomes of meningococcal disease in adolescence: prospective, matched-cohort study

Follow-up care experience of patients with invasive meningococcal disease and their family caregivers: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Clinical guidelines recommend systematic follow-up of patients surviving invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) to assess sequelae. However, little is known about survivors and family caregivers' experiences of the follow-up care. Study sought to explore IMD survivors' and their family caregivers' experiences after hospitalization for IMD and to identify unmet needs.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients and family caregivers, identified through hospitals database. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and subject to a thematic analysis. NVivo software was used for data management and analysis.

RESULTS

Eight IMD survivors and 14 family caregivers were interviewed. Three themes were identified from the data: (1) perception of patient and family caregiver on follow-up after IMD and role of healthcare professionals; (2) access to care and support; (3) relationship with healthcare professionals. Although most were satisfied with follow-up care after IMD, suggestions for improving the healthcare pathway were made relating information on potential sequelae and follow-up care, coordination, and access to psychological support.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms the need for more structured follow-up care for patients suffering from IMD and their families which is currently limited and focused on physical recovery. Optimal follow-up should aim to provide sufficient information, emotional support and logistical support for patient and family caregivers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Ethics Committee of University of Lyon, France (ref: 2022-06-23-002).

Exploring the Health-Related Quality of Life and the Lived Experience of Adolescents Following Invasive Meningococcal Disease

BACKGROUND

Data on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) survivors, particularly among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), are limited. This study aimed to investigate the in-depth experiences and impacts of IMD on AYAs.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from two Australian states, Victoria and South Australia. We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 30 patients diagnosed with IMD between 2016 and 2021. The interview transcripts were analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 53% were aged 15-19 years old, and 47% were aged 20-24. The majority (70%) were female. Seven themes relating to the participants' experience of IMD were identified: (1) underestimation of the initial symptoms and then rapid escalation of symptoms; (2) reliance on social support for emergency care access; (3) the symptoms prompting seeking medical care varied, with some key symptoms missed; (4) challenges in early medical diagnosis; (5) traumatic and life-changing experience; (6) a lingering impact on HRQoL; and (7) gaps in the continuity of care post-discharge.

CONCLUSION

The themes raised by AYA IMD survivors identify multiple areas that can be addressed during their acute illness and recovery. Increasing awareness of meningococcal symptoms for AYAs may help reduce the time between the first symptoms and the first antibiotic dose, although this remains a challenging area for improvement. After the acute illness, conducting HRQoL assessments and providing multidisciplinary support will assist those who require more intensive and ongoing assistance during their recovery.

Longitudinal study of meningococcal carriage in adolescents and young adults in South Australia 2017-2020

BACKGROUND

This analysis investigated longitudinal changes in meningococcal carriage in adolescents in South Australia over 4 years.

METHODS

Data from the "B Part of It" study, which included a state-wide cluster randomized controlled trial in secondary-school students (n = 34,489 in 2017 and 2018) and serial cross-sectional studies in school leavers aged 17-25 years (n = 4028 in 2019-2020). Individuals had oropharyngeal swabs collected annually. This study included two unique cohorts: (1) individuals enrolled in 2019, with three consecutive annual swabs taken in 2017, 2018 and 2019; and (2) individuals enrolled in 2020, with swabs taken in 2017, 2018, and 2020. Disease-associated N. meningitidis genogroups were identified using PCR and whole genome sequencing. Univariate analysis identified risk factors for recurrent carriage (≥2).

RESULTS

Among school leavers, 50 (1.7%, total n = 2980) had carriage detected at successive visits. In participants with meningococcal carriage at successive visits, 38/50 (76.0%) had the same genogroup detected by porA PCR. Of those, 19 had the same MLST type and demonstrated minimal variation, indicating they most likely had sustained carriage of the same isolate (range 226 to 490 days, mean duration 352 [SD 51] days). In the 2019 school leaver cohort, 6.7% acquired carriage in their first year out of school compared to 3.3% in their final school year. Compared to single carriage detection, recurrent carriage was potentially more likely in older adolescents (16 compared to ≤15 years; OR = 1.97 (95%CI 1.0, 3.86); p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

Whilst carriage is typically transient, some adolescents/young adults may have persistent carriage and are likely to be an important group in the transmission of meningococci.

Sporadic Use of Antibiotics in Older Adults and the Risk of Dementia: A Nested Case-Control Study Based on German Health Claims Data

BACKGROUND

Antibiotics for systemic use may increase the risk of neurodegeneration, yet antibiotic therapy may be able to halt or mitigate an episode of neurodegenerative decline.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of sporadic use of antibiotics and subsequent dementia risk (including Alzheimer's disease).

METHODS

We used data from the largest public health insurance fund in Germany, the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK). Each of the 35,072 dementia cases aged 60 years and older with a new dementia diagnosis during the observation period from 2006 to 2018 was matched with two control-patients by age, sex, and time since 2006. We ran conditional logistic regression models for dementia risk in terms of odds ratios (OR) as a function of antibiotic use for the entire antibiotic group and for each antibiotic subgroup. We controlled for comorbidities, need for long-term care, hospitalizations, and nursing home placement.

RESULTS

Antibiotic use was positively associated with dementia (OR = 1.18, 95% confidence interval (95% CI):1.14-1.22), which became negative after adjustment for comorbidities, at least one diagnosis of bacterial infection or disease, and covariates (OR = 0.93, 95% CI:0.90-0.96). Subgroups of antibiotics were also negatively associated with dementia after controlling for covariates: tetracyclines (OR = 0.94, 95% CI:0.90-0.98), beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins (OR = 0.93, 95% CI:0.90-0.97), other beta-lactam antibacterials (OR = 0.92, 95% CI:0.88-0.95), macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramins (OR = 0.88, 95% CI:0.85-0.92), and quinolone antibacterials (OR = 0.96, 95% CI:0.92-0.99).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that there was a decreased likelihood of dementia for preceding antibiotic use. The benefits of antibiotics in reducing inflammation and thus the risk of dementia need to be carefully weighed against the increase in antibiotic resistance.

Epidemiology and Clinical Burden of Meningococcal Disease in France: Scoping Review

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) remains a significant health concern due to its unpredictable nature and its rapid progression. Even if occurrence of IMD is strictly monitored by a national surveillance network, no information on long-term sequelae is reported, making it difficult to assess the entire clinical burden of IMD in France. The aim of this scoping review was to analyze the epidemiology and the clinical burden of IMD in France by reporting the main epidemiological parameters, and by describing the clinical consequences and the care pathway of patients. The process of the review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension to the Scoping Reviews guidelines. In France, the incidence of IMD cases has been fluctuating over time, characterized by an overall downward trend linked to a decrease in Sg B cases and the introduction of mandatory vaccination against Sg C. Sg W cases increased in recent years (from 5% to 21% in 2019). The case fatality rate remained constant (6-12.9%). The most frequently reported sequelae were severe neurological disorder, epilepsy, and anxiety. However, data on sequelae and care pathways were scarce. Further research should concentrate on providing robust identification of sequelae and the subsequent impact on quality of life, as well as on the organization of optimal care and support for patients and their families.

Care pathways in invasive meningococcal disease: a retrospective analysis of the French national public health insurance database

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) carries a high burden in terms of mortality, long-term complications, and cost, which can be significantly reduced by vaccination. The objectives of this case-control study were to document the care pathways of patients with IMD before, during, and after hospitalization and to assess in-hospital complications and long-term sequelae. Cases consisted of all people hospitalized for IMD in France between 2012 and 2017. Controls were matched by age, gender, and district of residence. Data were extracted from the French national public health insurance database on demographics, hospitalizations, mortality and potential sequelae of IMD. Overall, 3,532 cases and 10,590 controls were assessed and followed up for 2.8 years (median). During hospitalization, 1,577 cases (44.6%) stayed in an intensive care unit, 1,238 (35.1%) required mechanical ventilation, and 43 (1.2%) underwent amputation; 293 cases (8.3%) died in hospital and a further 163 (4.6%) died following discharge; 823 cases (25.4% of survivors) presented ≥1 sequela and 298 (9.2%) presented multiple sequelae. The most frequently documented sequelae were epilepsy (N = 205; 5.8%), anxiety (N = 196; 5.5%), and severe neurological disorders (N = 193; 5.5%). All individual sequelae were significantly more frequent (p < .0001) in cases than controls. Hearing/visual impairment and communication problems were conditions that presented the highest risk for cases compared to controls (risk ratios >20 in all cases). In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of providing optimal medical care for patients with IMD, of minimizing the delay before hospitalization, and of effective prevention through comprehensive vaccination programs.

A policy review of the introduction of the MenACWY vaccine in toddlers across multiple countries

INTRODUCTION

Immunization is the best strategy to protect individuals from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). To support decision-making around immunization, this paper considers what has led four countries and regions of two more to introduce the quadrivalent MenACWY vaccine in toddlers (ages 12-24 months).

AREAS COVERED

A narrative literature review was conducted to identify countries that have introduced a MenACWY vaccination program for toddlers. Information from peer-reviewed publications, reports, and policy documents for each identified country was extracted. Australia, Chile, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and regions of Italy and Spain have introduced the MenACWY vaccine in their toddler programs, driven by the rising incidence of MenW and MenY and the vaccine's ability to provide protection against other serogroups. Australia and the Netherlands considered the economic impacts of implementing a MenACWY toddler vaccination program. Vaccination uptake and effects are reported for three countries; however, in two, isolating the vaccine's effect from the collateral effect of COVID-related measures is difficult.

EXPERT OPINION

Increased convergence of vaccination policies and programs is needed internationally, as IMD recognizes no borders.PL AIN LANGUAGE SUMMARYVaccination is the best defense against meningitis, a deadly disease. While someone of any age can contract it, children 0-24 months of age are disproportionately affected. The increasing number of cases of meningitis has led four countries plus regions of two more to introduce into their vaccination schedules for toddlers (ages 12-24 months) a vaccine that protects against four different serogroups rather than one serogroup alone. This paper considers what has driven that shift.

Sequelae at Hospital Discharge in 61 Children With Invasive Meningococcal Disease, Chile, 2009-2019

BACKGROUND

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an unpredictable and severe infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis . Its case fatality rate could vary from 9.7% to 26% and up to 36% of survivors may experience long-term sequelae, representing a challenge for public health.

AIMED

To describe the sequelae at hospital discharge caused by IMD in children between years 2009-2019.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study performed in 2 pediatric hospitals. Patients with microbiologically confirmed diagnosis of IMD from 2009 to 2019 were included. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The records of 61 patients were reviewed and included. Sixty-seven percent were male, median age 9 months (interquartile range 4-27), 72% were admitted to intensive care unit. Thirty-seven (60.5%) had at least 1 sequela (75% and 37% in patients with or without meningitis, respectively). The most frequents sequelae were neurological 72%, hearing loss 32%, and osteoarticular 24%. Significant differences were found comparing patients with and without sequelae: drowsiness 67.6% versus 41.7% ( P = 0.04), irritability 67.6% versus 25% ( P = 0.01), meningeal signs 62.2% versus 29.2% ( P = 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, postdischarge follow-up had OR 21.25 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.93-91.44), irritability had OR 8.53 (95% CI: 1.64-44.12), meningeal signs had OR 8.21 (95% CI: 0.71-94.05), invasive mechanical ventilation had OR 8.23 (95% CI: 0.78-85.95), meningitis plus meningococcemia OR 1.70 (95% CI: 0.18-15.67) to have sequelae, while children with meningococcemia and vomiting had a OR 0.04 (95% CI: 0.00-0.36) and OR 0.27 (95% CI: 0.03-2.14), respectively. N. meningitidis serogroup W (MenW) was isolated in 54.1% (33/61), and N. meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) in 31.1% (19/61) of cases. A significant difference was found in osteoarticular sequelae ( P = 0.05) between MenB and MenW. There was a decrease in cases after the meningococcal conjugate vaccine against serogroups A, C, W and Y was implemented (2015-2019).

CONCLUSIONS

IMD remains as a public health concern. A high rate of sequelae was found in pediatric patients in our series, even in the clinical manifestations other than meningitis. Neurological sequelae were the most prevalent. Multidisciplinary follow-up protocols to reduce long-term impact must be urgently established to assess all children with IMD.

Rationale for the Development of a Pentavalent Meningococcal Vaccine: A US-Focused Review

While invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is uncommon, it can result in serious sequelae and even death. In 2018 in the United States, the incidence of IMD per 100,000 people was 0.03 among adolescents 11-15 years of age, 0.10 among persons 16-23 years of age, and 0.83 among infants < 1 year of age. Serogroup B accounted for 86%, 62%, and 66% of cases, respectively, in those age groups. Currently, routine meningococcal vaccination covering serogroups ACWY (MenACWY) is recommended in the United States for all adolescents at 11-12 years of age, with a booster dose at 16 years of age, whereas a meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine series is recommended for persons 16-23 years of age under the shared clinical decision-making paradigm. The MenACWY vaccination program in adolescents has been successful in reducing disease burden, but does not prevent disease caused by serogroup B, which accounts for more than half of IMD cases. There are currently no approved vaccines that cover all of the most common disease-causing meningococcal serogroups, which are A, B, C, W, and Y. A pentavalent MenABCWY vaccine that is constituted from 2 licensed meningococcal vaccines-MenB-FHbp and MenACWY-TT-is being investigated in healthy persons ≥ 10-25 years of age. The addition of a MenABCWY vaccine is the next natural step in the incremental meningococcal immunization program in the United States to improve protection against the most common serogroup causing IMD, with no increase in the number of immunizations needed. With high uptake, routine use of MenABCWY could reduce IMD cases and associated mortality, the rate of long-term physical and psychosocial sequelae in survivors, and costs associated with controlling outbreaks, particularly on college campuses. A MenABCWY vaccine would also reduce the number of injections required for adolescents, potentially improving compliance.

One-Year Sequelae and Quality of Life in Adults with Meningococcal Meningitis: Lessons from the COMBAT Multicentre Prospective Study

INTRODUCTION

COMBAT is a prospective, multicentre cohort study that enrolled consecutive adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM) in 69 participating centres in France between February 2013 and July 2015 and followed them for 1 year.

METHODS

Patients aged at least 18 years old, hospitalised with CABM were followed during their hospitalisation and then contacted by phone 12 months after enrolment. Here we present the prevalence of sequelae at 12 months in a subgroup of patients with meningococcal meningitis.

RESULTS

Five of the 111 patients with meningococcal meningitis died during initial hospitalisation and two died between discharge and 12 months, leaving 104 patients alive 1 year after enrolment, 71 of whom provided 12-month follow-up data. The median age was 30.0 years and 54.1% of the patients had no identified risk factor for meningitis. More than 30% reported persistent headache, more than 40% were not satisfied with their sleep and 10% had concentration difficulties. Hearing loss was present in about 15% of the patients and more than 30% had depressive symptoms. About 13% of the patients with a previous professional activity had not resumed work. On the SF-12 Health Survey, almost 50% and 30% had physical component or mental component scores lower than the 25th percentile of the score distribution in the French general population. There was a non-significant improvement in the patients' disability scores from hospital discharge to 12 months (p = 0.16), but about 10% of the patients had residual disability.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most patients in our cohort survive meningococcal meningitis, the long-term burden is substantial and therefore it is important to ensure a prolonged follow-up of survivors and to promote preventive strategies, including vaccination.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrial.Gov identification number NCT01730690.

Range of invasive meningococcal disease sequelae and health economic application - a systematic and clinical review

Background

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is uncommon, life-threatening, with many diverse sequelae. The aims were to: 1) comprehensively characterise the sequelae; 2) have a systematic application for sequelae impact in economic evaluation (EE).

Methods

Sequelae categorised as physical/neurological or psychological/behavioural were identified from a systematic review of IMD observational studies (OS) and EEs in high-income countries (published 2001–2020). A comprehensive map and EE-relevant list, respectively, included physical/neurological sequelae reported in ≥2OS and ≥ 2OS + 2EE (≥1OS and ≥ 1OS + 1EE for psychological/behavioural). Sequelae proportions were selected from the highest quality studies reporting most sequelae. Three medical experts independently evaluated the clinical impact of findings.

Results

Sixty-Six OS and 34 EE reported IMD sequelae. The comprehensive map included 44 sequelae (30 physical/neurological, 14 psychological/behavioural), of which 18 (14 physical/neurological and 4 psychological/behavioural) were EE-relevant. Experts validated the study and identified gaps due to limited evidence, underreporting of psychological/behavioural sequelae in survivors/their families, and occurrence of multiple sequelae in the acute phase and long-term.

Conclusions

The considerable burden of IMD sequelae on survivors and their families is potentially underestimated in EE, due to underreporting and poorly-defined subtle sequelae. When assessing IMD burden and potential interventions e.g., vaccination, sequelae range and duration, underreporting, and indirect burden on dependents should be considered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13342-2.

Invasive meningococcal disease survivors frequently suffer from variable sequelae.

A broad sequelae map plus those relevant to economic evaluation (EE) were defined.

Forty-four sequelae were selected: 30 physical/neurological and 14 psychological/behavioural.

Eighteen EE-relevant sequelae included 14 physical/neurological and 4 psychological/behavioural

Underreporting, family impact and multiple sequelae cases were critical gaps.

A video summary linked to this article can be found on Figshare: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19753840.

Predictors of Functional School Outcome in Children With Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury

Objective

Among the variety of domains that may be impacted after pediatric acquired brain injury (pABI) are functional school outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, medical, and psychological factors associated with impairments in functional school outcomes, defined as school absence, need of educational and psychological services, quality of life (QoL) in the school setting, and academic performance in children with pABI, with a specific emphasis on the significance of fatigue.

Materials and Method

We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of seventy-six children aged 10 to 17 (M = 13 yrs) with pABI in the chronic phase (>1 year). All completed assessments of school-related QoL, academic performance, global functioning, fatigue, IQ, behavioral problems, and executive function.

Results

Fatigue, IQ, global functioning, behavioral problems, and sex emerged as potential predictors for functional school outcomes. Of note, overall fatigue emerged as the strongest potential predictor for parent-reported QoL in school (β = 0.548; p < 0.001) and self-reported QoL in school (β = 0.532; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Following pABI, specific psychological, medical, and demographic factors are associated with functional school outcomes. Neither of the injury-related variables age at insult and time since insult were associated with functional school outcomes. Overall, our findings may suggest that a reintroduction to school with personalized accommodations tailored to the child's specific function and symptoms, such as fatigue, is recommended.

Meningococcal Disease in Pediatric Age: A Focus on Epidemiology and Prevention

Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis; 13 serogroups have been identified and differentiated from each other through their capsular polysaccharide. Serotypes A, B, C, W, X, and Y are responsible for nearly all infections worldwide. The most common clinical manifestations are meningitis and invasive meningococcal disease, both characterized by high mortality and long-term sequelae. The infection rate is higher in children younger than 1 year and in adolescents, who are frequently asymptomatic carriers. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infection and transmission. Currently, both monovalent meningococcal vaccines (against A, B, and C serotypes) and quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines (against serogroups ACYW) are available and recommended according to local epidemiology. The purpose of this article is to describe the meningococcal vaccines and to identify instruments that are useful for reducing transmission and implementing the vaccination coverage. This aim could be reached by switching from the monovalent to the quadrivalent vaccine in the first year of life, increasing vaccine promotion against ACYW serotypes among adolescents, and extending the free offer of the anti-meningococcal B vaccine to teens, co-administering it with others proposed in the same age group. Greater awareness of the severity of the disease and increased health education through web and social networks could represent the best strategies for promoting adhesion and active participation in the vaccination campaign. Finally, the development of a licensed universal meningococcal vaccine should be another important objective.

4CMenB vaccine and its role in preventing transmission and inducing herd immunity

INTRODUCTION

: Vaccination is the most effective method of protecting people from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Of all the capsular groups, B is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease in many parts of the world. Despite this, adolescent meningococcal B vaccine programs have not been implemented globally, partly due to the lack of evidence for herd immunity afforded by meningococcal B vaccines.

AREAS COVERED

This review aims to synthesise the available evidence on recombinant 4CMenB vaccines' ability to reduce pharyngeal carriage and therefore provide indirect (herd) immunity against IMD.

EXPERT OPINION

There is some evidence that the 4CMenB vaccine may induce cross-protection against non-B carriage of meningococci. However, the overall body of evidence does not support a clinically significant reduction in carriage of disease-associated or group B meningococci following 4CMenB vaccination. No additional cost-benefit from herd immunity effects should be included when modelling the cost-effectiveness of 4CMenB vaccine programs against group B IMD. 4CMenB immunisation programs should focus on direct (individual) protection for groups at greatest risk of meningococcal disease.

Future meningococcal B and combination vaccines being developed should consider the impact of the vaccine on carriage as part of their clinical evaluation.

Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) 2019: Prospective hospital-based surveillance for serious paediatric conditions

Introduction

The Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network is an Australian hospital-based active surveillance system employing prospective case ascertainment for selected serious childhood conditions, particularly vaccine preventable diseases and potential adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). This report presents surveillance data for 2019.

Methods

Specialist nurses screened hospital admissions, emergency department records, laboratory and other data on a daily basis in seven paediatric tertiary referral hospitals across Australia, to identify children with the conditions under surveillance. Standardised protocols and case definitions were used across all sites. In 2019, the conditions under surveillance comprised: acute flaccid paralysis (AFP; a syndrome associated with poliovirus infection), acute childhood encephalitis (ACE), influenza, intussusception (IS; a potential AEFI with rotavirus vaccines), pertussis, varicella-zoster virus infection (varicella and herpes zoster), invasive meningococcal and invasive Group A streptococcus diseases and two new conditions, Kawasaki disease and gram-negative bloodstream infections. An additional social research component continued to evaluate parental attitudes to influenza vaccination.

Results

PAEDS captured 2,701 cases for 2019 across all conditions under surveillance. Key outcomes of PAEDS included: contribution to national AFP surveillance to reach the World Health Organization reporting targets for detection of poliomyelitis cases; demonstration of high influenza activity in 2019 and influenza-associated deaths in ACE cases; identification of key barriers to influenza vaccination of children hospitalised for acute respiratory illness; reporting of all IS cases associated with vaccine receipt to relevant state health department; and showing a further reduction nationally in varicella cases. Enhanced pertussis surveillance continued to capture controls to support vaccine efficacy estimation. Invasive meningococcal disease surveillance showed predominance of serotype B and a reduction in cases nationally. Surveillance for invasive group A streptococcus captured severe cases in children. Monitoring of Kawasaki disease incidence and gram-negative bloodstream infections commenced.

Conclusions

PAEDS continues to provide unique policy-relevant data on serious paediatric conditions using sentinel hospital-based enhanced surveillance. Keywords: paediatric, surveillance, child, hospital, vaccine preventable diseases, adverse event following immunisation, acute flaccid paralysis, encephalitis, influenza, intussusception, pertussis, varicella zoster virus, meningococcal, group A streptococcus, Kawasaki, bloodstream infections.

Impact of Meningococcal B Vaccine on Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Adolescents

Background

From 2017, a statewide cluster randomized trial was conducted in South Australia to assess the impact of the meningococcal B vaccine 4CMenB on pharyngeal Neisseria meningitidis carriage in adolescents. Senior schools were randomized to receive the vaccine in 2017 (intervention) or 2018 (control). In this study we report the vaccine impact of 4CMenB on serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in 16- to 19-year-old adolescents in South Australia.

Methods

This observational time series analysis of serogroup B IMD cases compares the 14 years prior to the commencement of the trial (2003–2016) with the 2 years following 4CMenB vaccination of the 2017 adolescent cohort.

Results

Approximately 62% of year 10 and 11 students (15–16 years old) in South Australia enrolled in the trial. A total of 30 522 year 10–12 students received at least 1 dose of 4CMenB. The number of serogroup B IMD cases in 16- to 19-year old adolescents in South Australia increased on average by 10% per year from 2003 to 2016 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6%–15%, P &lt; .001), peaking with 10 cases in 2015. Serogroup B IMD cases reduced to 5 in 2017–2018 and 1 in 2018–2019, below the expected numbers of 9.9 (95% prediction interval [PI], 3.9–17.5) and 10.9 (95% PI, 4.4–19.1), respectively. This translated to an overall reduction in the number of serogroup B IMD cases of 71% (95% CI, 15%–90%, P = .02). There were no serogroup B IMD cases in vaccinated adolescents.

Conclusions

Vaccinating adolescents with 4CMenB was associated with a reduction in group B meningococcal disease in South Australia.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03089086.

Psychiatric Disabilities and Other Long-term Consequences of Childhood Bacterial Meningitis

BACKGROUND

Bacterial meningitis is known to cause hearing impairments and neurologic deficits; however, less is known regarding psychiatric disabilities. In this study, we assessed psychiatric disabilities and other long-term consequences of childhood bacterial meningitis.

METHODS

From a previously validated dataset, we selected children having had bacterial meningitis. We then reviewed medical records and child health records from discharge onwards to identify disabilities. We calculated the occurrence of disabilities with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and we used a χ test to assess possible individual risk factors associated with occurrence of disabilities.

RESULTS

Of the 80 children included in this study, permanent disabilities not attributed to preexisting diseases were noted in 56% (CI: 45-67) during the mean observation period of 19 years and 2 months. Psychiatric disease was diagnosed in 30% (CI: 21-41), and another 5% (CI: 2-13) were under ongoing investigations for symptoms of psychiatric disease. Hearing impairments affected at least 30% (CI: 20-40), and neurologic deficits affected at least 23% (CI: 15-34). While other disabilities were often detected within the first year, psychiatric disabilities were detected after a mean time period of 14 years (CI: 11:1-16:11). Although some associations were noted, no individual risk factor was able to predict the occurrence of disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric disabilities affect more than one-third of survivors and are among the most common long-term consequence of childhood bacterial meningitis. Late discovery and predictive difficulties call for a revision of current guidelines to include a specific long-term strategy for detecting psychiatric disabilities.

Why the Anti-Meningococcal B Vaccination during Adolescence Should Be Implemented in Italy: An Overview of Available Evidence

Although meningococcal disease has a low incidence in Italy, it is a public health concern owing to its high lethality rate and high frequency of transitory and/or permanent sequelae among survivors. The highest incidence rates are recorded in infants, children and adolescents, and most of the cases are due to Neisseria meningitidis B. In Italy, anti-meningococcal B (anti-MenB) vaccination is free for infants but, despite the considerable disease burden in adolescents, no national recommendation to vaccinate in this age-group is currently available. The aim of this study was to assess the main available scientific evidence to support the Italian health authorities in implementing a program of free anti-MenB vaccination for adolescents. We conducted an overview of the scientific literature on epidemiology, disease burden, immunogenicity and safety of available vaccines, and economic evaluations of vaccination strategies. Each case of invasive meningococcal disease generates a considerable health burden (lethality rate: 9%; up to 60% of patients experience at least one sequela) in terms of impaired quality of life for survivors and high direct and indirect costs (the mean overall cost of acute phase for a single case amounts to about EUR 13,952; the costs for post-acute and the long-term phases may vary widely depending of the type of sequela, reaching an annual cost of about EUR 100,000 in cases of severe neurological damage). Furthermore, vaccination against meningococcus B in adolescence proved cost-effective. The study highlights the need to actively offer the anti-MenB vaccination during adolescence at a national level. This would make it possible to avoid premature deaths and reduce the high costs borne by the National Health Service and by society of supporting survivors who suffer temporary and/or permanent sequelae.

Invasive meningococcal disease in Italy: from analysis of national data to an evidence-based vaccination strategy

Introduction

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable disease not yet under control. In Italy, although different anti-meningococcal vaccines are available, their offer among regions is heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of IMD in Italy based on analysis of national surveillance data for 2011-2017 to optimize the vaccination strategy.

Methods

IMD surveillance data from the Italian National Health Institute were analysed. Microsoft Excel was used to present trend analysis, stratifying by age and serogroups.

Results

In Italy, during the period 2011-2017, the incidence of IMD increased from 0.25 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2011 to 0.33 cases/100,000 in 2017. Most cases after 2012 were caused by non-B serogroups. The number of cases in subjects aged 25-64 years increased steadily after 2012 (36 cases in 2011, 79 in 2017), mostly due to non-B serogroups, representing more than 65% of cases in those aged 25+ years.

Conclusions

In the period from 2011 to 2017, the incidence of IMDs increased in Italy. The increase, probably due also to a better surveillance, highlights the importance of the disease in the adult population and the high level of circulation of non-B serogroups in particular after 2012. Our analysis supports an anti-meningococcal vaccination plan in Italy that should include the highest number of preventable serogroups and be aimed at vaccinating a wider population through a multicohort strategy.

Meningitis vaccines in children: what have we achieved and where next?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review highlights the recent impacts of vaccines against the major bacterial causes of meningitis in children, and the challenges for further prevention of bacterial meningitis, with a focus on Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis and group B Streptococcus.

RECENT FINDINGS

Conjugate vaccines against S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis have resulted in dramatic reductions in bacterial meningitis globally where they have been used. Recent licensure and use of capsular group B meningococcal protein vaccines have further reduced meningococcal meningitis in infants, young children and adolescents for countries with endemic disease and during outbreaks.

SUMMARY

Existing vaccines to prevent bacterial meningitis in children should be utilized in countries with significant numbers of cases of pneumococcal and/or meningococcal meningitis. Vaccines, which are able to protect against more than 13 serotypes of S. pneumoniae are in clinical trials and should be able to further reduce pneumococcal meningitis cases. Cost effective meningococcal vaccines against non-A capsular groups are needed for low-resource countries. There remains an urgent need for a vaccine against group B Streptococcus, which is a major cause of neonatal meningitis globally and for which no vaccine currently exists.

Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) 2017 and 2018: Prospective hospital-based surveillance for serious paediatric conditions

Introduction

The Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network is a hospital-based active surveillance system employing prospective case ascertainment for selected serious childhood conditions, particularly vaccine-preventable diseases and potential adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). This report presents surveillance data for 2017 and 2018.

Methods

Specialist nurses screened hospital admissions, emergency department (ED) records, laboratory and other data on a daily basis in seven paediatric tertiary referral hospitals across Australia to identify children with the conditions under surveillance. In 2017 and 2018 these included acute flaccid paralysis (AFP; a syndrome associated with poliovirus infection), acute childhood encephalitis (ACE), influenza, intussusception (IS; a potential AEFI with rotavirus vaccines), pertussis, varicella-zoster virus infection (varicella and herpes zoster), invasive meningococcal, and invasive Group A streptococcus diseases. An additional social research component was added to evaluate parental attitudes to vaccination.

Results

PAEDS captured 1,580 and 925 cases for 2017 and 2018, respectively, across all conditions under surveillance. Key outcomes of PAEDS included: contribution to national AFP surveillance to reach the World Health Organization reporting targets; identification of a third human parechovirus outbreak among other infectious diseases linked to ACE; demonstration of variable influenza activity between 2017 and 2018, with vaccine effectiveness (VE) analysis demonstrating that the protection offered through vaccination is season-dependent. All IS cases associated with vaccine receipt were reported to the relevant state health department. Varicella and herpes zoster case numbers remained unchanged, with vaccine uptake found to be suboptimal among eligible children under the NIP. Enhanced pertussis surveillance continues to capture controls for VE estimation. Surveillance for invasive meningococcal disease showed predominance for serotype B at 57% over 2 years among 77 cases where serotyping was available, and surveillance for invasive group A streptococcus captured severe disease in children.

Conclusion

PAEDS continues to provide unique policy-relevant data on serious paediatric conditions using hospital-based sentinel surveillance.

Clinical and economic burden of invasive meningococcal disease: Evidence from a large German claims database

BACKGROUND

Limited data is available to describe clinical characteristics, long-term outcomes, healthcare resource use and the attributable costs of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Germany. We aimed to examine demographic and clinical characteristics as well as healthcare resource use and related costs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on the InGef database in patients with IMD between 2009 and 2015. Cases were identified based on hospital main discharge diagnoses of IMD. Demographics, clinical characteristics, 30-day and 1-year mortality as well as IMD-related complications and sequelae in IMD cases were examined. In addition, short and long-term costs and healthcare resource use in IMD cases were analyzed and compared to an age- and sex-matched control group without IMD.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 164 IMD cases between 2009 and 2015. The mean length of the IMD-related hospitalization was 13 days and 38% of all cases presented with meningitis only, 35% with sepsis only, 16% with both and 11% with other IMD. The 30-day and one-year mortality were 4.3% and 5.5%, respectively. Approximately 13% of IMD cases had documented IMD-related complications at hospital discharge and 24% suffered from sequelae during follow-up. The IMD-related hospitalization was associated with mean costs of € 9,620 (standard deviation: € 22,197). The difference of mean costs between IMD cases and matched non-IMD controls were € 267 in the first month and € 1,161 from one month to one year after discharged from IMD-related hospitalization. During the later follow-up period, the mean overall costs and costs associated with individual healthcare sectors were also higher for IMD cases without reaching statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

IMD resulted in severe complications and sequelae and was associated with extensive costs and increased healthcare resource use in Germany, especially in the first year after IMD diagnosis and due the IMD-related hospitalization.

Community-acquired bacterial meningitis in adults: in-hospital prognosis, long-term disability and determinants of outcome in a multicentre prospective cohort

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with unfavourable in-hospital outcome (death or disability) in adults with community-acquired bacterial meningitis (CABM).

METHODS

In a prospective multicentre cohort study (COMBAT; February 2013 to July 2015), all consecutive cases of CABM in the 69 participating centres in France were enrolled and followed up for 12 months. Factors associated with unfavourable outcome were identified by logistic regression and long-term disability was analysed.

RESULTS

Among the 533 individuals enrolled, (Streptococcus pneumoniae 53.8% (280/520 isolates identified), Neisseria meningitidis 21.3% (111/520), others 24.9% (129/520)), case fatality rate was 16.9% (90/533) and unfavourable outcome occurred in 45.0% (225/500). Factors independently associated with unfavourable outcome were: age >70 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.64; 95% CI 1.93-11.15), male gender (aOR 2.11; 95% CI 1.25-3.57), chronic renal failure (aOR 6.65; 95% CI 1.57-28.12), purpura fulminans (aOR 4.37; 95% CI 1.38-13.81), localized neurological signs (aOR 3.72; 95% CI 2.29-6.05), disseminated intravascular coagulation (aOR 3.19; 95% CI 1.16-8.79), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white-cell count <1500 cells/μL (aOR 2.40; 95% CI 1.42-4.03), CSF glucose concentration (0.1-2.5 g/L: aOR 1.92; 95% CI 1.01-3.67; <0.1 g/L: aOR 2.24; 95% CI 1.01-4.97), elevated CSF protein concentration (aOR 1.09; 95% CI 1.03-1.17), time interval between hospitalization and lumbar puncture >1 day (aOR 2.94; 95% CI 1.32-6.54), and S. pneumoniae meningitis (aOR 4.99; 95% CI 1.98-12.56), or meningitis other than N. meningitidis (aOR 4.54; 95% CI 1.68-12.27). At 12 months, 26.7% (74/277) had hearing loss, 32.8% (87/265) depressive symptoms, 31.0% (86/277) persistent headache, and 53.4% had a physical health-related quality of life (142/266) <25th centile of the distribution of the score in the general French population (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of CABM (death, disability, depression, impaired quality of life and hearing loss) is high. Identification of cases from the first symptoms may improve prognosis.

CLINICALTRIAL

Gov identification number: NCT01730690.

AMEND study protocol: a case-control study to assess the long-term impact of invasive meningococcal disease in Australian adolescents and young adults

INTRODUCTION

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) primarily causes disease in young children and adolescents and can cause long-term disability. Many countries are considering implementation of meningococcal B and/or meningococcal ACWY vaccines to control meningococcal disease. Estimating the cost-effectiveness of meningococcal vaccine programme is hampered due to a lack of good quality costing and burden of disease data. This study aims to address this evidence gap by assessing the clinical, physical, neurocognitive, economic and societal impact of IMD on adolescents and young adults.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A case-control study of 64 participants with confirmed IMD (15-24 years 11 months at time of disease) and 64 control participants (17-34 years 11 months) will be conducted in Australia from 2016 to 2020. All participants will undergo a neurocognitive assessment, full medical examination, pure tone audiometry assessment and complete quality of life and behavioural questionnaires. Meningococcal cases will be assessed 2-10 years posthospitalisation and a subset of cases will be interviewed to explore in depth their experiences of IMD and its impact on their life. Primary outcome measures include general intellectual functioning from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and overall quality of life from the Health Utilities Index. Secondary outcome measures include academic achievement, executive functioning, behaviour, hearing, psychological and physical functioning. Outcome measures will be compared between cases and controls using independent t-tests or ORs, or if any significant confounders are identified, adjusted analyses (analysis of covariance or adjusted ORs) will be conducted. Thematic analysis will be used to analyse transcribed interviews and a costing model will be used to project lifetime costs.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Adolescent MENingococcal Disease (AMEND) study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Women's and Children's Health Network (HREC/14/WCHN/024). The results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, study participants, and meningococcal and meningitis foundations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03798574.

Outcomes measures in children after acute central nervous system infections and malaria

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute central nervous system (CNS) infections in children result in significant mortality and neurologic morbidity worldwide. This article summarizes the recent pediatric literature published on outcomes measures used after acute infectious meningitis, encephalitis, and cerebral malaria, and highlights ongoing research efforts to standardize outcomes measurements. Search terms were geared toward functional, cognitive, behavioral, and other outcome assessments.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent data suggest that, depending on microbiological cause, there are differences in currently used outcome measures following acute CNS infections. Outcomes assessments include a variety of formal psychological tests (structured interviews and neuropsychological tests of cognitive and motor functioning) and dichotomized or ordinal scales. Standardization of outcome measures, however, is lacking. Global efforts to standardize outcomes that encompass both the child and family are ongoing.

SUMMARY

Centers worldwide can track and measure a variety of cognitive, behavioral, and functional outcomes after acute CNS infections. Standardized documentation and coding of clinically important outcomes is needed. Further research to evaluate effective practices using acute adjunctive and rehabilitation therapies will be aided by outcome measure standardization.

Lifetime costs of invasive meningococcal disease: A Markov model approach

INTRODUCTION

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an uncommon but life-threatening infectious disease associated with high sequelae rates in young children and an increased risk of mortality in adolescents and young adults. Funding decisions to reject inclusion of new meningococcal serogroup B vaccines on national immunisation schedules have been criticised by IMD patients, their families, paediatricians and charity organisations. We aim to estimate the lifetime costs of IMD with the best available evidence to inform cost-effectiveness analyses.

METHODS

A Markov model was developed taking healthcare system and societal perspectives. A range of data including age-specific mortality rates, and probabilities of IMD-related sequelae were derived from a systematic review and meta-analysis. All currencies were inflated to year 2017 prices by using consumer price indexes in local countries and converted to US dollars by applying purchasing power parities conversion rates. Expert panels were used to inform the model development process including key structural choices and model validations.

RESULTS

The estimated lifetime societal cost is US$319,896.74 per IMD case including the direct healthcare cost of US$65,035.49. Using a discount rate of 5%, the costs are US$54,278.51 and US$13,968.40 respectively. Chronic renal failure and limb amputation result in the highest direct healthcare costs per patient. Patients aged < 5 years incur the higher healthcare expenditure compared with other age groups. The costing results are sensitive to the discount rate, disease incidence, acute admission costs, and sequelae rates and costs of brain injuries and epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONS

IMD can result in substantial costs to the healthcare system and society. Understanding the costs of care can assist decision-making bodies in evaluating cost-effectiveness of new vaccine programs.

Meningococcal disease in adolescents and young adults: a review of the rationale for prevention through vaccination

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis is characterized by high mortality and morbidity. While IMD incidence peaks in both infants and adolescents/young adults, carriage rates are often highest in the latter age groups, increasing IMD risk and the likelihood of transmission. Effective vaccines are available for 5 of 6 disease-causing serogroups. Because adolescents/young adults represent a significant proportion of cases, often have the highest carriage rate, and have characteristically low vaccination adherence, efforts should be focused on educating this population regarding long-term consequences of infection and the importance of meningococcal vaccination in prevention. This review describes the role of adolescents/young adults in meningococcal transmission and the clinical consequences and characteristics of IMD in this population. With a focus on countries with advanced economies that have specific meningococcal vaccination recommendations, the epidemiology of meningococcal disease and vaccination recommendations in adolescents/young adults will also be discussed.

Systematic Review of Invasive Meningococcal Disease: Sequelae and Quality of Life Impact on Patients and Their Caregivers

Introduction

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD, septicaemia and/or meningitis) has a severe acute and long-term burden: 5–10% of patients die within 48 h, and long-term sequelae have been reported in 10–20% of survivors. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly but inconsistently assessed.

Methods

A systematic literature review on Neisseria meningitidis IMD sequelae and HRQoL in survivors of all ages and their caregivers, including family, was conducted for high-income countries from 2001 to 2016 (in Medline and Embase, following Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines).

Results

A total of 31 studies, mostly of childhood IMD cases, were included. A broad range of physical, neurological and psychological IMD sequelae were identified. The literature has evolved, with more types of sequelae reported in more recent studies; however, meningococcal disease-specific and sequelae-specific HRQoL data are lacking, and existing studies used a wide variety of instruments. Physical sequelae included: amputations (up to 8% of children, 3% adolescents/adults) and skin scars (up to 55% of children, 18% adolescents, 2% adults). Neurologic sequelae included: hearing loss (up to 19% of infants, 13% children, 12% adolescents, 8% adults). Psychological sequelae included: anxiety, learning difficulties, emotional and behavioural difficulties. IMD negatively affects HRQoL in patients and also in their family and close caregiver network, both in the short- and long-term. Even IMD survivors without sequelae experienced an adverse impact on HRQoL after many years, affecting self-esteem, physical, mental and psychosocial health, and HRQoL was worse in those with cognitive and behavioural sequelae.

Conclusion

A high proportion of IMD survivors are affected by a broad range of sequelae and reduced HRQoL that persists years after infection. Childhood IMD survivors had more sequelae and more severe sequelae compared with adult survivors. HRQoL was affected in patients and also in their families, caregivers and surrounding network over the long term. More research is needed to resolve data gaps and to standardise HRQoL assessment.

Funding

GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (Rixensart, Belgium).

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s40121-018-0213-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Meningococcal Group A, C, W, and Y Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine: A Review of Clinical Data in Adolescents

MenACWY-TT (Nimenrix) is a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine containing polysaccharides from serogroups A, C, W, and Y conjugated to a tetanus toxoid carrier protein. MenACWY-TT is licensed in some countries as a three-dose primary series in individuals as young as 6 weeks of age and as a single dose in individuals ≥12 months of age. MenACWY-TT use is supported by long-term immunogenicity and safety across age groups, including data from several phase 2, 3, and 4 clinical studies in adolescents and young adults. Adolescents are an important population in the epidemiology, transmission, and prevention of invasive meningococcal disease, with this age-based population having the highest risk for carriage and transmission as well as one of the highest risks of disease. This age group is emerging as a target population in meningococcal vaccination programs globally, as vaccinating adolescents and young adults could potentially not only decrease disease rates directly for those vaccinated but also indirectly for unvaccinated individuals by decreasing carriage and eliciting herd protection. This review will consider available data for MenACWY-TT in adolescents, including safety and immunogenicity, booster and memory responses, persistence, and coadministration with other vaccines, with an emphasis on the rationale for use of MenACWY-TT and other quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines in adolescents to address the changing epidemiology of meningococcal disease.

Fatigue among South African adolescents living with HIV: Is the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire a suitable measure and how common is fatigue?

Evidence suggests that HIV-infected adolescents experience elevated levels of fatigue that impacts their functioning at school and other important aspects of their lives. Yet, fatigue has not been measured amongst this population group. In this cross-sectional, mixed-methods study we explored the psychometric properties of the 11-item Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ) amongst 134 South African adolescents (11-18 years old) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Western Cape. Using the Likert scoring method for the CFQ, the mean total score was 14.89 (SD=3.83) and about a quarter (n=33, 24.63%) of adolescents scored ≥ 18, indicating problematic levels of fatigue. The CFQ demonstrated good internal consistency with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.83 (0.84, with item 11 deleted), which is comparable to other validation studies. On the first iteration of the principal component analysis (PCA) with a Varimax rotation, three factors accounted for 59.15% of the variance. However, the third factor consisted of one item only which we chose to remove from the analysis. On the second iteration of the PCA, a two factor solution was retained that accounted for 54.24% of the variance. The first factor, 'Physical fatigue', represented the first eight items on the scale. The second factor 'Mental fatigue' represented items nine and ten. The CFQ also demonstrated modest content and construct validity. The CFQ is a short, easy-to-use and cost-effective measure of fatigue, and demonstrates reliability and validity amongst a South African sample of adolescents. Given the high rate of fatigue amongst our participants, we recommend that future interventions be developed to reduce fatigue among HIV-infected adolescents, which may ultimately lead to improvements in school performance and social functioning. Future research may include test-retest reliability of the CFQ in order to show stability over time.

Meningococcal vaccination in pregnancy

Invasive meningococcal disease causes meningitis and septicemia worldwide with highest rates of disease occurring in children <2 years of age, and in particular young infants. Vaccination during pregnancy has been a successful strategy for prevention of other infections in young infants, most notably tetanus, pertussis and influenza. However, few studies of meningococcal vaccines in pregnancy have been undertaken, and none include the most commonly used current vaccines to prevent disease by capsular groups A, B, C, W and Y. The limited data suggest that the older polysaccharide vaccines are immunogenic, but the impact on prevention of infant disease has not been measured. Further studies of MenB protein vaccines and MenA protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines in particular are needed if vaccination in pregnancy is to be utilized as an approach to prevention of meningococcal disease in young infants.

Fatigue following Paediatric Acquired Brain Injury and its Impact on Functional Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Fatigue is a commonly reported sequela following an acquired brain injury (ABI), and can have a negative impact on many areas of a child's life. However, there is minimal research that focuses on fatigue specifically, and so factors such as its occurrence, duration, and impact on functioning remain uncertain. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the research to date, bringing together a number of studies with a focus on paediatric ABI and fatigue. Terms were searched in relevant databases (PsycInfo, Medline, CINAHL), and articles were included or excluded based on specified criteria. Of the 1177 papers identified in the original search, a total of 9 papers met inclusion criteria, and were categorised as traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 4), meningitis and meningococcal disease (n = 2), brain tumours (n = 2), and mixed ABI group (n = 1). Key findings suggest that fatigue is a problem encountered by a significant proportion of patients in all the studies reviewed, and often occurred regardless of the cause; fatigue was also associated with poor academic achievement, limited physical activity, and social and emotional problems. Injuries of greater severity were associated with higher levels of fatigue and worse outcomes. Several management options were suggested, though their efficacy was not reported. Future research is required with a suggested focus on using multiple time points to better understand the trajectories of fatigue following childhood ABI, and to build an evidence base to determine which management options are most suitable.

A Systematic Review of Risk Factors Associated With Cognitive Impairment After Pediatric Critical Illness

OBJECTIVES

To identify risk factors associated with cognitive impairment as assessed by neuropsychologic tests in neurotypical children after critical illness.

DATA SOURCES

For this systematic review, we searched the Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and CINAHL databases from January 1960 to March 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Included were studies with subjects 3-18 years old at the time of post PICU follow-up evaluation and use of an objective standardized neuropsychologic test with at least one cognitive functioning dimension. Excluded were studies featuring patients with a history of cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury, or genetic anomalies associated with neurocognitive impairment.

DATA EXTRACTION

Twelve studies met the sampling criteria and were rated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Ten studies reported significantly lower scores in at least one cognitive domain as compared to healthy controls or normed population data; seven of these-four case-control and three prospective cohort studies-reported significant lower scores in more than one cognitive domain. Risk factors associated with post critical illness cognitive impairment included younger age at critical illness and/or older age at follow-up, low socioeconomic status, high oxygen requirements, and use of mechanical ventilation, sedation, and pain medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying risk factors for poor cognitive outcomes post critical illness may help healthcare teams modify patient risk and/or provide follow-up services to improve long-term cognitive outcomes in high-risk children.

Evidence for Rise in Meningococcal Serogroup C Bactericidal Antibody Titers in the Absence of Booster Vaccination in Previously Vaccinated Children

BACKGROUND

The introduction of meningococcal serogroup C (MenC) conjugate vaccines in the United Kingdom and Australia led to an impressive decline in the incidence of invasive disease. This study examined bactericidal antibody titers over time in the UK and Australian children who received a MenC conjugate vaccine in early childhood to test the hypothesis that ongoing boosting of immunity in the absence of further doses of vaccine in some children may contribute to ongoing protection from disease.

METHODS

Serum bactericidal assay using rabbit complement (rSBA) titers at each follow-up visit were compared with all preceding visits to identify any ≥4-fold rise in titers. The proportion of children with a ≥4-fold rise in rSBA titers in paired sera at any visit-to-visit comparison was calculated.

RESULTS

Of 392 children with at least one set of paired sera in the Australian cohort, 72 (18.4%) had a ≥4-fold increase in rSBA titers at least one year after vaccination, including six children (1.5%) who showed evidence of boosting twice. Of 234 children with at least one set of paired sera in the UK cohort, 39 (16.7%) had a ≥4-fold rise in rSBA titers at least one year after vaccination including 2 children (0.9%) with evidence of boosting twice.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial minority of children immunized with MenC conjugate vaccine in early childhood had a rise in bactericidal antibody titers in the years after immunization in the absence of booster vaccination. This occurs most commonly at around 6-7 years of age corresponding to school entry and greater social mixing and might indicate exposure to MenC carriage.

Invasive Meningococcal Disease in the Vaccine Era

Infection with the meningococcus is one of the main causes of meningitis and septicaemia worldwide. Humans are the only natural reservoir for the meningococcus which is found primarily as a commensal inhabitant in the nasopharynx in ~10% of adults, and may be found in over 25% of individuals during adolescence. Prompt recognition of meningococcal infection and early aggressive treatment are essential in order to reduce mortality, which occurs in up to 10% of those with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). This figure may be significantly higher in those with inadequate or delayed treatment. Early administration of effective parenteral antimicrobial therapy and prompt recognition and appropriate management of the complications of IMD, including circulatory shock and raised intracranial pressure (ICP), are critical to help improve patient outcome. This review summarizes clinical features of IMD and current treatment recommendations. We will discuss the evidence for immunization and effects of vaccine strategies, particularly following implementation of effective vaccines against Group B meningococcus.

Persistence of immunity after vaccination with a capsular group B meningococcal vaccine in 3 different toddler schedules

BACKGROUND

One schedule for the capsular group B meningococcal vaccine 4CMenB is 2 doses that are administered 2 months apart for children aged 12-23 months, with a booster dose 12-24 months later. Our objective was to provide data on persistence of human serum bactericidal antibody (hSBA) titres in children up to 4 years of age after initial doses at 12-24 months, and immunogenicity of a booster dose at 48 months of age compared with vaccine-naive children.

METHODS

Children previously immunized, as part of a randomized controlled trial, with 2 doses of 4CMenB vaccine at 12-24 months of age received a booster at 4 years of age. Vaccine-naive age-matched toddlers received 2 doses of 4CMenB. Human serum bactericidal antibody titres against reference strains H44/76, 5/99, NZ98/254 and M10713 were evaluated before and after innoculation with 4CMenB vaccine in 4-year-old children.

RESULTS

Of 332 children in the study, 123 had previously received 4CMenB and 209 were vaccine-naive controls. Before the booster, the proportions of participants (previously vaccinated groups compared with controls) with hSBA titres of 1:5 or more were as follows: 9%-11% v. 1% (H44/76), 84%-100% v. 4% (5/99), 0%-18% v. 0% (NZ98/254) and 59%-60% v. 60% (M10713). After 1 dose of 4CMenB in previously immunized children, the proportions of participants achieving hSBA titres of 1:5 or more were 100% (H44/76 and 5/99), 70%-100% (NZ98/254) and 90%-100% (M10713).

INTERPRETATION

We found that waning of hSBA titres by 4 years of age occurred after 2 doses of 4CMenB vaccine administered at 12-24 months, and doses at 12-24 months have a priming effect on the immune system. A booster may be necessary to maintain hSBA titres of 1:5 or more among those children with increased disease risk. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT01717638.

Pre-admission antibiotics for suspected cases of meningococcal disease

BACKGROUND

Meningococcal disease can lead to death or disability within hours after onset. Pre-admission antibiotics aim to reduce the risk of serious disease and death by preventing delays in starting therapy before confirmation of the diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

To study the effectiveness and safety of pre-admission antibiotics versus no pre-admission antibiotics or placebo, and different pre-admission antibiotic regimens in decreasing mortality, clinical failure, and morbidity in people suspected of meningococcal disease.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL (6 January 2017), MEDLINE (1966 to 6 January 2017), Embase (1980 to 6 January 2017), Web of Science (1985 to 6 January 2017), LILACS (1982 to 6 January 2017), and prospective trial registries to January 2017. We previously searched CAB Abstracts from 1985 to June 2015, but did not update this search in January 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing antibiotics versus placebo or no intervention, in people with suspected meningococcal infection, or different antibiotics administered before admission to hospital or confirmation of the diagnosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data from the search results. We calculated the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for dichotomous data. We included only one trial and so did not perform data synthesis. We assessed the overall quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach.

MAIN RESULTS

We found no RCTs comparing pre-admission antibiotics versus no pre-admission antibiotics or placebo. We included one open-label, non-inferiority RCT with 510 participants, conducted during an epidemic in Niger, evaluating a single dose of intramuscular ceftriaxone versus a single dose of intramuscular long-acting (oily) chloramphenicol. Ceftriaxone was not inferior to chloramphenicol in reducing mortality (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.57 to 2.56; N = 503; 308 confirmed meningococcal meningitis; 26 deaths; moderate-quality evidence), clinical failures (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.32 to 2.15; N = 477; 18 clinical failures; moderate-quality evidence), or neurological sequelae (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.62; N = 477; 29 with sequelae; low-quality evidence). No adverse effects of treatment were reported. Estimated treatment costs were similar. No data were available on disease burden due to sequelae.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no reliable evidence to support the use pre-admission antibiotics for suspected cases of non-severe meningococcal disease. Moderate-quality evidence from one RCT indicated that single intramuscular injections of ceftriaxone and long-acting chloramphenicol were equally effective, safe, and economical in reducing serious outcomes. The choice between these antibiotics should be based on affordability, availability, and patterns of antibiotic resistance.Further RCTs comparing different pre-admission antibiotics, accompanied by intensive supportive measures, are ethically justified in people with less severe illness, and are needed to provide reliable evidence in different clinical settings.

Control of invasive meningococcal disease: is it achievable?

Neisseria meningitidis still leads to deaths and severe disability in children, adolescents and adults. Six different capsular groups of N. meningitidis cause invasive meningococcal disease in the form of meningitis and septicaemia in humans. Although conjugate meningococcal vaccines have been developed to provide protection against four of the capsular groups causing most diseases in humans, vaccines against capsular group B, which causes 85% of cases in Australia and the United Kingdom, have only recently been developed. A capsular group B meningococcal vaccine - 4CMenB (Bexsero) - has recently been licensed in the European Union, Canada and Australia. In Australia, a submission for inclusion of 4CMenB in the funded national immunization programme has recently been rejected. The vaccine will now be introduced into the national immunization programme in the United Kingdom following negotiation of a cost-effective price. With the current low incidence of invasive meningococcal disease in many regions, cost-effectiveness of a new capsular group B meningococcal vaccine is borderline in both the United Kingdom and Australia. Cost-effectiveness of an infant programme is determined largely by the direct protection of those vaccinated and is driven by the higher rate of disease in this age group. However, for an adolescent programme to be cost-effective, it must provide both long-term protection against both disease and carriage. The potential of vaccination to reduce the rate of severe invasive disease is a real possibility. A dual approach using both an infant and adolescent immunization programme to provide direct protection to those age groups at highest risk of meningococcal disease and to optimize the potential herd immunity effects is likely to be the most effective means of reducing invasive meningococcal disease. This commentary aims to describe the known disease burden and consequences of meningococcal disease, and the development and potential effectiveness of new capsular group B meningococcal vaccines.

The Health Burden of Invasive Meningococcal Disease: A Systematic Review

OF KEY POINTS

Although relatively rare, invasive meningococcal disease continues to be a health concern, especially in young children. This systematic review clearly delineates both the near- and long-term morbidities that can occur after, and persist beyond, the period of acute illness.

BACKGROUND

Although rare, invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) continues to be a health concern in high-income countries because of its severe morbidity and relatively high case fatality rate, especially in young children. However, studies measuring sequelae of IMD across the spectrum of invasive syndromes have not been systematically reviewed. We conducted a systematic review of sequelae attributable to IMD and quality of life (QoL) in IMD survivors in high-income countries.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase, and HealthSTAR for primary studies that assessed sequelae or QoL in individuals of any age with and without IMD. Two independent reviewers screened articles, abstracted data, and performed quality appraisal. The findings were summarized qualitatively.

RESULTS

Of 1884 citations screened, 17 studies were included. The most commonly assessed sequelae were hearing impairment, cognitive impairment, and psychological problems. In general, children with IMD had a greater incidence of hearing loss and psychological disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, its effects on intelligence in children remain unclear. No statistical differences in overall cognitive function in adults were reported. The odds of death were significantly increased with IMD at hospital discharge and up to 30 years after disease. Lower overall QoL was observed in those who had IMD versus controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this systematic review delineate both the short- and long-term morbidities that can occur after, and persist beyond, the period of acute illness. A better understanding of the full spectrum of IMD sequelae is critical for assessing the burden of IMD and supporting healthcare planning and decision making in light of new vaccines.

A phase III observer-blind randomized, controlled study to evaluate the immune response and the correlation with nasopharyngeal carriage after immunization of university students with a quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY glycoconjugate or serogroup B meningococcal vaccine

BACKGROUND

University students have high rates of pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis. Interruption of carriage acquisition is an important mechanism of vaccines for inducing herd protection. 4CMenB and MenACWY-CRM vaccines have been shown to be immunogenic against meningococcal serogroups B and ACWY respectively in younger age groups, and also to elicit a modest impact on meningococcal carriage in vaccinated students. However, vaccine responses in university students and the impact of serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titers on meningococcal carriage are undetermined.

METHODS

Immunogenicity of two 4CMenB doses or one MenACWY-CRM dose was measured in university students at Months 2, 4, 6 and 12 post-first vaccination. Immunogenicity of one MenACWY-CRM dose in students with previous meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccination was also assessed. Immune responses were measured with an SBA assay using human complement (hSBA) against three reference strains for serogroup B and against one strain for each for serogroups C and Y. Correlations between hSBA titers and meningococcal carriage were analyzed.

RESULTS

All subjects demonstrated robust functional antibody responses to both vaccines at Month 2 and a high proportion maintained protective hSBA titers up to Month 12. At baseline, carriage of disease-associated serogroup B strains and serogroups C and Y were higher in subjects with already-protective hSBA titers. Post-vaccination, while both 4CMenB and MenACWY-CRM elicited robust immunogenicity in students, significant correlations between post-vaccination hSBA titers and carriage of disease-associated serogroups were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

4CMenB and MenACWY-CRM were both highly immunogenic. There was no correlation between carriage and post-vaccination hSBA titers.

The Burden of Pediatric Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Spain (2008-2013)

BACKGROUND

Invasive meningococcal disease remains a rare infectious disease not only with high mortality but also with important morbidity. Until recently no universal vaccine existed against serogroup B, which explains most of the cases in settings like Europe. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical course and sequelae of meningococcal disease in Spain.

METHODS

Retrospective review of all children younger than 15 years admitted to any of the 36 hospitals in the MENDICOS Spanish network (www.mendicos.org) with confirmed or probable invasive meningococcal disease in children between January 2008 and December 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 458 cases were identified across the country, most of them occurring in previously healthy children (91.5%; n = 419/458). Median (interquartile range) age was 1.7 (0.7 and 4.6) years, with 53.1% of the cases occurring in children younger than 2 years; 82.1% (n = 368) were laboratory confirmed cases; 95.2% (n = 256) of those serogrouped were serogroup B. The diagnosis was meningitis in 24.9% (n = 114) of the cases, sepsis in 37.1% (n = 170) and both in 38.0% (n = 174). Mean hospital length of stay was 11.6 (10.9) days; 79.2% (n = 354) of the patients required pediatric intensive care unit admission, with a mean pediatric intensive care unit stay of 3.9 (4.9) days; 3.5% (n = 16) died; 12.9% (n = 59) of the survivors were discharged with some kind of physical sequelae, mainly neurological (n = 23).

CONCLUSIONS

Serogroup B invasive meningococcal infection explains substantial morbidity and mortality in Spain, occurring mainly in infants. The recent availability of a vaccine against serogroup B may change this scenario. Given that the vast majority of the cases occur in otherwise healthy children, inclusion of the meningococcal B vaccine in the national immunization program should be carefully considered.

Outcomes of bacterial meningitis in children

OBJECTIVE

Pediatricians are well aware of the immediate risks of bacterial meningitis in children. However, the long-term outcome of the disease has not been extensively studied. We aimed: (i) to evaluate the duration and quality of the long-term follow-up of children diagnosed with bacterial meningitis in a general pediatric department, (ii) to estimate the incidence of sequelae at the various stages of follow-up, and (iii) to compare our data with that of other studies.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study and included 34 children (3 months-15 years) who had been hospitalized for bacterial meningitis in the pediatric department of a University Hospital between January 1st, 2001 and December 31st, 2013.

RESULTS

Overall, 32% of patients presented with sequelae and 15% with seizures. Only one patient presented with hearing loss, but 23.5% of patients did not have any hearing test performed. Seven patients had a neuropsychological assessment performed and no severe neuropsychological sequela was observed in this group. The average follow-up duration increased during the study period (from 23 to 49months). The long-term follow-up modalities observed in other studies were highly variable. Assessing the incidence and severity of sequelae was therefore difficult.

CONCLUSION

A standardized follow-up should be implemented by way of a national surveillance network of children presenting with bacterial meningitis.

The UK joint specialist societies guideline on the diagnosis and management of acute meningitis and meningococcal sepsis in immunocompetent adults

Bacterial meningitis and meningococcal sepsis are rare conditions with high case fatality rates. Early recognition and prompt treatment saves lives. In 1999 the British Infection Society produced a consensus statement for the management of immunocompetent adults with meningitis and meningococcal sepsis. Since 1999 there have been many changes. We therefore set out to produce revised guidelines which provide a standardised evidence-based approach to the management of acute community acquired meningitis and meningococcal sepsis in adults. A working party consisting of infectious diseases physicians, neurologists, acute physicians, intensivists, microbiologists, public health experts and patient group representatives was formed. Key questions were identified and the literature reviewed. All recommendations were graded and agreed upon by the working party. The guidelines, which for the first time include viral meningitis, are written in accordance with the AGREE 2 tool and recommendations graded according to the GRADE system. Main changes from the original statement include the indications for pre-hospital antibiotics, timing of the lumbar puncture and the indications for neuroimaging. The list of investigations has been updated and more emphasis is placed on molecular diagnosis. Approaches to both antibiotic and steroid therapy have been revised. Several recommendations have been given regarding the follow-up of patients.

Assessing Patient-Reported Outcomes in Pediatric Populations With Vaccine-Preventable Infectious Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Literature (the PROCHID Study)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in pediatric populations with vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in high-income Western countries.

METHODS

Systematic review of PRO use in populations younger than 18 years with any of 17 infectious diseases for which vaccines are available or in development. The search was limited to studies performed in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand and published between January 1, 1990, and July 31, 2013. Searches were conducted in Scopus and PsycINFO, and reference lists were manually searched. Results are reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

RESULTS

Of 6410 titles and abstracts and 174 full-text articles reviewed, 17 full-text articles were included for data extraction. The largest number of PRO studies was carried out in patients with anogenital warts and rotavirus gastroenteritis. No PRO studies were identified for nine conditions. A total of 24 PRO measures (12 generic and 12 disease-specific) were used in the studies reviewed. Most of the instruments used were of high quality. Proxy responses were occasionally obtained when self-report would have been feasible. No validated disease-specific instruments for children with any of the conditions studied were found.

CONCLUSIONS

The paucity of studies and PRO instruments to assess pediatric health status in vaccine-preventable infectious diseases, and the lack of a standardized approach to measurement, makes it difficult to capture the impact of disease and the benefit of vaccination and could potentially hinder decision making. Guidelines from relevant bodies to steer research in this area would be useful.

Invasive meningococcal disease in the 21st century—an update for the clinician

Neisseria meningitidis is a gram-negative diplococcus, for which humans are the only reservoir. While colonization is common, invasive meningococcal disease in the form of meningitis or bacteremia can be devastating and potentially fatal. Certain populations are at higher risk for disease including infants, adolescents, those with asplenia or complement deficiencies, and potentially those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Use of conjugate meningococcal vaccines has impacted disease epidemiology in both high- and low-income countries. Outbreaks of serogroup B disease at university campuses have drawn further attention to the recent development of a novel serogroup B vaccine now approved in many countries. This review covers key aspects of the pathogenesis and management of meningococcal disease, as well as the very recent developments in disease epidemiology, outbreaks, and the evolution of meningococcal immunizations.