Emergence of Epidemic Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup X Meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso

2011

Emergence of Epidemic Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup X Meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso

Sample size: 1376 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Delrieu Isabelle, Yaro Seydou, Tamekloé Tsidi A. S., Njanpop-Lafourcade Berthe-Marie, Tall Haoua, Jaillard Philippe, Ouedraogo Macaire S., Badziklou Kossi, Sanou Oumarou, Drabo Aly, Gessner Bradford D., Kambou Jean L., Mueller Judith E.

Primary Institution: Agence de Médecine Préventive, Paris, France

Hypothesis

What is the epidemiological pattern and burden of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso from 2006 to 2010?

Conclusion

The study documented that Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X can cause both hyperendemic and epidemic meningitis in the meningitis belt.

Supporting Evidence

NmX accounted for 16% of the 702 confirmed bacterial meningitis cases in Togo from 2006 to 2009.
In Burkina Faso, NmX accounted for 7% of the 778 confirmed bacterial meningitis cases from 2007 to 2010.
The highest district cumulative incidence of NmX was estimated as 130/100,000 during March–April 2010.

Takeaway

This study shows that a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X can cause serious sickness in some areas of Africa, and it might be able to cause big outbreaks like other types of this bacteria.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from population-based, sentinel and passive surveillance, and outbreak investigations of bacterial meningitis in Togo and Burkina Faso during 2006–2010.