Recurrent bacterial meningitis in children in the Netherlands: a nationwide surveillance study.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the recurrence rate of culture-positive bacterial meningitis in children in the Netherlands.

Design: Nationwide surveillance study, using the database of the Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis to identify patients with culture-positive bacterial meningitis during childhood.

Setting: The study was based in the Netherlands.

Short-term and long-term risk of mortality and neurodevelopmental impairments after bacterial meningitis during infancy in children in Denmark and the Netherlands: a nationwide matched cohort study.

Background: Few studies have reported the long-term consequences of bacterial meningitis during infancy, and studies that have been done usually do not include a comparison cohort. We aimed to assess short-term and long-term risk of mortality, neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI), and health-care use and household income in cohorts of children with and without a history of bacterial meningitis during infancy in Denmark and the Netherlands.

Methods: In this nationwide cohort study, infants with a history of bacterial meningitis before age 1 year were identified through the Danish Medical Birth Registry and Danish National Patient Registry using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes and through the Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis.

Neonatal early-onset infections: Comparing the sensitivity of the neonatal early-onset sepsis calculator to the Dutch and the updated NICE guidelines in an observational cohort of culture-positive cases.

Background: The early-onset sepsis calculator (EOSC) reduces unnecessary antibiotic treatment in newborns. However, its performance in identifying cases with early-onset disease (EOD) is unclear. We compared the sensitivity of the EOSC to the current Dutch and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when applied to a cohort of newborns with culture-positive early-onset sepsis and meningitis.

Sex Differences in Long-term Outcomes After Group B Streptococcal Infections During Infancy in Denmark and the Netherlands: National Cohort Studies of Neurodevelopmental Impairments and Mortality.

Background: Male infants have a higher incidence of invasive group B Streptococcus disease (iGBS) compared with female infants; however, data on sex differences in mortality and long-term outcomes after iGBS are lacking. We assessed whether a child's sex influences the effects of iGBS on mortality and risk of neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs).

Methods: We used Danish and Dutch registry data to conduct a nationwide cohort study of infants with a history of iGBS.

Prematurity Modifies the Risk of Long-term Neurodevelopmental Impairments After Invasive Group B Streptococcus Infections During Infancy in Denmark and the Netherlands.

Background: Preterm birth and neonatal infections are both associated with mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs). We examined whether the effect of invasive group B Streptococcus disease (iGBS) on mortality and long-term NDI differs for preterm and term infants, and whether co-occurrence of iGBS and prematurity leads to worse outcome.

Methods: Nationwide cohort studies of children with a history of iGBS were conducted using Danish and Dutch medical databases.

Cost-effectiveness of maternal immunization against neonatal invasive Group B Streptococcus in the Netherlands.

Background: Neonatal invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection causes considerable disease burden in the Netherlands. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) prevents early-onset disease (EOD), but has no effect on late-onset disease (LOD). A potential maternal GBS vaccine could prevent both EOD and LOD by conferring immunity in neonates.

Mortality, neurodevelopmental impairments, and economic outcomes after invasive group B streptococcal disease in early infancy in Denmark and the Netherlands: a national matched cohort study.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease is a leading cause of neonatal death, but its long-term effects have not been studied after early childhood. The aim of this study was to assess long-term mortality, neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs), and economic outcomes after infant invasive GBS (iGBS) disease up to adolescence in Denmark and the Netherlands.

Methods: For this cohort study, children with iGBS disease were identified in Denmark and the Netherlands using national medical and administrative databases and culture results that confirmed their diagnoses.

Prevalence of group B streptococcal colonization in the healthy non-pregnant population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Colonization and transmission precede invasive group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. Data on GBS colonization prevalence, detection methods and risk factors for carriage are relevant for vaccine development and to understand GBS pathogenesis.

Objectives: To evaluate GBS colonization prevalence after the first week of life in the healthy non-pregnant population.

Molecular epidemiology and mortality of group B streptococcal meningitis and infant sepsis in the Netherlands: a 30-year nationwide surveillance study.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus) causes invasive disease in all age groups. In the Netherlands, the incidence of group B streptococcal sepsis in early infancy is increasing because of a specific genetic subtype, clonal complex (CC) 17-A1. We assessed the molecular epidemiology, incidence, and mortality of group B streptococcal meningitis in the Netherlands over 30 years.

Changing Epidemiology of Bacterial Meningitis Since Introduction of Conjugate Vaccines: 3 Decades of National Meningitis Surveillance in The Netherlands.

Background: The epidemiology of acute bacterial meningitis has changed substantially since the introduction of conjugate vaccines.

Methods: We analyzed nationwide surveillance data of all cerebrospinal fluid isolates received by the Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis in the Netherlands. We assessed the impact of conjugate vaccines on incidence (defined as episodes per 100 000 population per year) and for different age groups using incidence rate ratios (IRRs), comparing incidence before and after conjugate vaccine introduction.

Community-acquired group B streptococcal meningitis in adults.

Introduction: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci; GBS) is an uncommon cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.

Methods: We reviewed literature published between 1975 and 2018. Studies were included if they reported age, sex and outcome of patients above 16 years of age with cerebrospinal fluid culture (CSF) positive for GBS.

Disease burden of neonatal invasive Group B Streptococcus infection in the Netherlands.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis worldwide. We aimed to estimate the current burden of neonatal invasive GBS disease in the Netherlands, as a first step in providing an evidence base for policy makers on the potential benefits of a future maternal GBS vaccine.

Methods: Surveillance of neonatal invasive GBS occurs at the National Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, where culture isolates from cerebrospinal fluid and blood are sent by diagnostic laboratories.

Community-acquired group B streptococcal meningitis in adults: 33 cases from prospective cohort studies.

Objectives: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus, GBS) is an uncommon cause of bacterial meningitis in adults. We describe clinical characteristics, serotype distribution and outcome of adult GBS meningitis.

Patients And Methods: Patients aged 16 years or older with GBS cultured in cerebrospinal fluid included in two prospective nationwide cohort studies performed in the Netherlands between 1998-2002 and 2006-2017 were evaluated.