title: Prospective population-based incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Thailand.
abstract: There are limited prospective data for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in Asia, where some countries are considering vaccine introduction. A prospective population-based study was conducted to measure the incidence of Hib meningitis in children in two northern provinces of Thailand. Children <5 years with symptoms consistent with bacterial meningitis were enrolled in the study if inclusion criteria were met. The study enrolled 598 children with clinical meningitis, 76% of whom received lumbar puncture. The rate of probable bacterial meningitis was 26.6/100,000 children <5 years per year. There were four cases of laboratory confirmed Hib meningitis (rate 3.8/100,000 children <5 years per year). These findings suggest a relatively low incidence of Hib meningitis. However, additional data from studies of pneumonia are needed to define the Hib disease burden in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supachai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rerks-Ngarm
authors.forename: Sophie C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Treleaven
authors.forename: Supamit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chunsuttiwat
authors.forename: Charung
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muangchana
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jolley
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Surang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dejsirilert
authors.forename: Sirisak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Warintrawat
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guiver
authors.forename: Prayura
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kunasol
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Maynard
authors.forename: Beverley-Ann
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Biggs
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steinhoff
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology