Background: During the last two decades, significant changes have taken place in the epidemiology of meningitis, especially due to the global availability and expanding use of Hib vaccines. The introduction of conjugate Hib vaccine in the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in Oman and recent availability of meningococcal vaccines against serogroups A and C plus the introduction of pneumococcal heptavalent conjugate vaccine are expected to influence the epidemiology of the disease in the country. We conducted this periodic review of acute bacterial meningitis in children younger than five years of age in Oman from January 2000 to December 2005 to reflect changes in the epidemiological pattern of these pathogens.

Methodology: Retrospective analysis of all cases of acute bacterial meningitis in children younger than five years of age reported to the Department of Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control, Ministry of Health, Oman.

Results: There were 344 cases of meningitis due to suspected bacterial etiologies reported in children younger than 5 years of age. Although Haemophilus influenzae 76 (22%) was the most common pathogen identified during the study period, the incidence of meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae has been dramatically reduced since the introduction of conjugate Hib vaccination in Oman in October 2001. Streptococcus pneumoniae 53 (15%) and Neisseria meningitidis 37 (11%) were the next two leading agents of meningitis respectively. In one hundred seventy four (52%) cases of presumptive bacterial meningitis, the etiologic organism remains unidentified. The peak occurrence of meningitis was in young children younger than one year old. The total male to female ratio was 1.4:1 and the case fatality rate (7 deaths) was 2%.

Conclusions: With the introduction of Hib vaccine in Oman in October 2001, the absolute number of cases due to Haemophilus influenzae significantly declined over the years. The incidence of meningitis due to other pathogens such as S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis remains steady. There is significant need to improve laboratory methods of bacterial detection and identification, which will help to formulate better antibiotic policies and strengthen control measures through newly introduced vaccines in Oman.

Download full-text PDF

Source

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

bacterial meningitis
16
years age
16
children younger
16
acute bacterial
12
meningitis children
12
younger years
12
haemophilus influenzae
12
meningitis
10
age oman
8
introduction conjugate
8

Similar Publications

Case report of neurobrucellosis: a rare complication and neuroimaging findings of a common disease.

Front Immunol

January 2025

Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Background And Objective: Neurobrucellosis is a rare neurological disorder characterized by diverse clinical manifestations. Although several relevant cases were reported, our understanding of this disorder is limited. In this study, we presented the clinical and imaging characteristics of four cases of neurobrucellosis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: This study aims to explore the underlying causes, diagnostic strategies, and treatment approaches of trauma-induced invasive syndrome (KPIS) through a rare case report. By highlighting the role of trauma as a potential trigger for KPIS, particularly in high-risk populations such as individuals with diabetes, this study seeks to provide valuable insights for improving clinical outcomes and promoting public health awareness.

Background: invasive syndrome is a multi-organ infectious disease commonly associated with complications such as liver abscess, lung abscess, endophthalmitis, and purulent meningitis, with high mortality and disability rates.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rising prevalence and drug resistance of in lower respiratory tract infections.

Front Cell Infect Microbiol

January 2025

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.

() is a Gram-positive bacterium commonly colonizing the skin and mucosa in healthy individuals and hospitalized patients. Traditionally regarded as a contaminant, is now increasingly recognized as a potential cause of clinical infections, especially after the coronavirus disease pandemic. It has emerged as a pathogen implicated in severe infections, including pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, artificial joint infections, abdominal infections, and endocarditis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Penetration of antimicrobial treatments into the cerebrospinal fluid is essential to successfully treat infections of the central nervous system. This penetration is hindered by different barriers, including the blood-brain barrier, which is the most impermeable. However, inflammation may lead to structural alterations of these barriers, modifying their permeability.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A woman in her 30s presented with sudden onset right-sided weakness, speech difficulties and transient loss of consciousness. She had a medical history of migraine, hypothyroidism and cervical lymphadenopathy. On examination, her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 8 due to dense right-sided hemiparesis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!