title: Epidemiology of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infections among children in Greece before the introduction of immunization.
abstract: We prospectively examined the epidemiology of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections among children under 5 y of age in the Greater Athens area before the introduction of immunization. The annual incidence of systemic Hib infections was 12/100000. Meningitis was the most common clinical entity and accounted for 69% of the cases. In the prevaccine era, the incidence of systemic Hib disease, particularly that of meningitis, was much lower in Greece compared to rates reported from Northern and Central Europe.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Paediatrics, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Greece.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Tsolia
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Theodoridou
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Mostrou
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Paraskaki
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pangali
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Yelesme
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Kalambalikis
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gaviotaki
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Zoumboulakis
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sinaniotis
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000639:trends; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors