Epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis in Romania 1971-1991.
The paper describes the endemic epidemic picture of meningococcal meningitis in Romania over 1971-1991 period. After the epidemic of 1970 with 1051 cases and a morbidity of 5.2 %000, the incidence of the disease suddenly decreased; thus in 1972-1984 the number of cases ranged from 191 to 534 per year, corresponding to a morbidity rate of 0.9 - 2.3 %000. Starting with the autumn of 1985 the incidence of meningococcal meningitis increased rapidly, reaching a maximum value in 1987 (2623 cases) and a morbidity rate of 11.4 %000. A spectacular decrease to 250-270 cases per year in 1990-1991 and a morbidity rate of 1.1 - 1.2 %000 were reported. Mortality followed closely the morbidity curve with a maximum in 1987 (0.4 %000). By contrast, lethality was higher in endemic periods with a maximum of 7.9% (1972), 8.9% (1975) and 6.3% (1990-1991), in the remaining years the lowest index being 1.4% (1980). The meningococcal meningitis epidemic of 1987 was due to group A Neisseria meningitidis identified in 84.5% of isolates from patients, the same serogroup decreasing in endemic periods to 0 (1991) or 5.5% (1974).
Mihalcu
F
F
Cantacuzino Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
Iacob
A
A
Leveneţ
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D017678:Sex Distribution