Complications and sequelae of meningococcal disease in Quebec, Canada, 1990-1994.
To study complications and sequelae of serogroup B and C meningococcal disease, a retrospective survey examined the outcome of all culture-proven cases reported in the province of Quebec, Canada, from January 1990 through December 1994 (serogroup B, 167 cases; serogroup C, 304 cases). Data were collected from medical files, postal questionnaires, and telephone interviews. Age groups having the most cases were the 10-19-year age group for serogroup C and the < 1-year age group for serogroup B. Fatality rates were 7% for serogroup B and 14% for serogroup C disease. Only 3% of survivors of serogroup B disease had physical sequelae, compared with 15% of survivors of serogroup C disease (skin scars, 12%; amputations, 5%; hearing loss, 2%; renal problems, 1%; and other sequelae, 4%). These results confirm the gravity of disease caused by serogroup C, serotype 2a Neisseria meningitidis and justify liberal use of vaccination for outbreak control.
Erickson
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Department of Community Health Sciences of the University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke University Hospital Clinical Research Center, Quebec, Canada.
De Wals
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011788:Quality of Life; D011792:Quebec; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping