Article
Infectious Diseases
Susan Meiring, Cheryl Cohen, Linda de Gouveia, Mignon du Plessis, Vanessa Quan, Jackie Kleynhans, Colin Menezes, Gary Reubenson, Halima Dawood, Maphoshane Nchabeleng, Mohamed Said, Nomonde Mvelase, Prasha Mahabeer, Rispah Chomba, Ruth Lekalakala, Trusha Nana, Vindana Chibabhai, Marianne Black, Anne von Gottberg
Summary: Providing country-specific estimates of case fatality and sequelae from bacterial meningitis (BM) is important to evaluate and monitor progress toward the World Health Organization's roadmap to defeating meningitis by 2030. The study conducted enhanced surveillance at 26 hospitals in South Africa from 2016-2020, revealing that BM in South Africa has a high case fatality, and adverse sequelae frequently occur among survivors. Those with comorbidities, including HIV, are at the highest risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kaunda Yamba, Evans Mpabalwani, Ruth Nakazwe, Evans Mulendele, Goitom Weldegebriel, Jason M. Mwenda, Reggis Katsande, Linda de Gouveia, Elizabeth Chizema-Kawesha, Raphael Chanda, Belem Matapo, James C. L. Mwansa, Chileshe Lukwesa-Musyani
Summary: In Zambia, the main pathogens causing bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis, with some strains showing resistance to penicillin. The introduction of PCV10 vaccine has led to a decrease in pneumococcal meningitis and the proportion of PVC10 serotypes after vaccination, but there is a concern about serotype replacement and penicillin resistance that require continued surveillance for policy-making.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mogens Kilian, Steffen Husby, Jesper Andersen, Zina Moldoveanu, Uffe B. Skov Sorensen, Jesper Reinholdt, Herve Tettelin
Summary: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b are the main bacteria causing bacterial meningitis. This study suggests that patients may be primed for infection by acquiring different bacteria, an immunogenic commensal followed by the pathogen, both expressing the same capsular polysaccharide. The IgA1 protease common to the three pathogens cleaves preexisting IgA1 antibodies induced by the commensal, releasing capsule-binding monomeric Fab fragments that enhance bacterial adherence and block other isotypes of antibody molecules.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Snezana Delic, Vera Mijac, Ina Gajic, Dusan Kekic, Lazar Ranin, Boris Jegorovic, Davor Culic, Valentina Cirkovic, Marina Siljic, Maja Stanojevic, Metka Paragi, Milos Markovic, Natasa Opavski
Summary: This study presented the epidemiology of invasive diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae in a pediatric population from Serbia before and after vaccine introduction, highlighting the dominance of serogroup B meningococci and specific serotypes within pneumococci. The study also emphasized the importance of monitoring antibiotic susceptibility and potential benefits of future Men-B vaccine implementations.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hamed Tavakoli, Elisabeth Hirth, Man Luo, Sanjay Sharma Timilsina, Maowei Dou, Delfina C. Dominguez, XiuJun Li
Summary: In this research, a microfluidic fully paper-based analytical device (mu FPAD) integrated with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and ssDNA-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) nano-biosensors was developed for the first time for simple, rapid, low-cost, and quantitative detection of Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis). The presented mu FPAD offers versatile functions and is capable of a simple, highly sensitive, and specific diagnosis of N. meningitidis. Furthermore, this microfluidic approach has great potential in the rapid detection of a wide variety of different other pathogens in low-resource settings.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nils Block, Pontus Naucler, Philippe Wagner, Eva Morfeldt, Birgitta Henriques-Normark
Summary: This study conducted a 50-year investigation on the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in Sweden and found that the incidence rate in children decreased while it remained unchanged in adults. The main pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. The introduction of vaccines led to a decrease in incidence and mortality in previously healthy children, but an increase in immunosuppressed patients. The study highlights the importance of correct diagnosis when treating these infections.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Youssef Ikken, Reda Charof, Mostafa Elouennass, Yassine Sekhsokh
Summary: The study developed a novel biphasic medium for the transport, culture, and conservation of N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, and H. influenzae at ambient temperature. The biphasic medium provided more nutrients and promoted growth of the bacteria for at least 40 days. It showed higher sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value compared to traditional media, making it a cost-effective solution for managing meningitis in laboratories.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Ala-Eddine Deghmane, Muhamed-Kheir Taha
Summary: The WHO endorsed a plan to control/eradicate invasive bacterial infection epidemics by 2030, with vaccination as a key pillar. Host risk factors impact susceptibility to Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus agalactiae. Detecting and exploring these risk factors is important for tailored vaccination strategies and preventive measures to reduce cases.
Article
Microbiology
Claire Wright, Natacha Blake, Linda Glennie, Vinny Smith, Rose Bender, Hmwe Kyu, Han Yong Wunrow, Li Liu, Diana Yeung, Maria Deloria Knoll, Brian Wahl, James M. Stuart, Caroline Trotter
Summary: The World Health Organization has developed a global roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030, advocating for and tracking progress. Accurately defining the burden of meningitis globally, based on different health models, is crucial for monitoring progress and aligning estimates with additional data sources such as national surveillance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Inacio Mandomando, Jason M. Mwenda, Tomoka Nakamura, Linda de Gouveia, Anne von Gottberg, Brenda A. Kwambana-Adams, Martin Antonio, Augusto Messa Jr, David Litt, Shila Seaton, Goitom Gebremedhin Weldegebriel, Joseph Nsiari-Muzeyi Biey, Fatima Serhan
Summary: This study analyzed the challenges faced by laboratories participating in the WHO-coordinated external quality assessment in identifying pathogens causing pediatric bacterial meningitis. The results showed a need for implementing a robust quality management system and continuous training in order to improve the identification of these pathogens.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Noemi Carnalla-Barajas, Araceli Soto-Nogueron, Lucila Martinez-Medina, Maria Elizabeth Olvera-Herrera, Juan Luis Mosqueda-Gomez, Patricia Rodriguez-Cortez, Rayo Morfin-Otero, Eduardo Rodriguez-Noriega, Antonio Luevanos-Velazquez, Mariana Merlo-Palomera, Sergio Esparza-Ahumada, Francisco Marquez-Diaz, Celia Mercedes Alpuche-Aranda, Gabriela Echaniz-Aviles
Summary: Bacterial meningitis remains a serious public health concern despite the introduction of several vaccines. Rapid, sensitive, and specific laboratory assays are critical for effective diagnosis and treatment, especially in countries with low culture positivity rates. This study evaluated the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as a rapid diagnostic test for bacterial meningitis in Mexico.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Heikki Peltola, Irmeli Roine, Markku Kallio, Tuula Pelkonen
Summary: This study compared childhood bacterial meningitis caused by classical agents with nonclassical agents in Finland, Latin America, and Angola, finding that nonclassical agents, especially in Angola, led to more severe cases with higher mortality and sequelae.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
L. S. Zhigis, O. Kotelnikova, A. A. Zinchenko, D. M. Karlinsky, Yu A. Prokopenko, L. D. Rumsh
Summary: The review discusses the study of the protective properties of IgA1 protease and the potential for creating a vaccine against various bacterial pathogens. Current approaches in vaccine development target specific pathogens, but there is still a need for a monocomponent vaccine effective against a wide range of bacteria with a common virulence factor.
RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Abdul Rahman Bizri, Abdulhakeem Althaqafi, Nawal Kaabi, Nathir Obeidat, Nadine Al Akoury, Hammam Haridy
Summary: Implementing vaccination programmes at the national level is crucial in managing vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like those in the MENA region. Although vaccines are available to prevent common bacterial diseases in adults, inadequate surveillance systems hinder effective responses to outbreaks and improvement in disease outcomes. Enhancing disease surveillance is essential for estimating disease burden, devising better vaccination strategies, and achieving improved outcomes in communicable diseases.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emma Carter, Fiona McGill
Summary: This article provides an update on the current evidence and guidelines for managing suspected acute meningitis in adults in the UK, highlighting the importance of early investigation and treatment and the need for clinicians to be vigilant in diagnosing meningitis.