Prospective population-based incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Thailand.
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.
Rerks-Ngarm
Supachai
S
Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi Province, Thailand.
Treleaven
Sophie C
SC
Chunsuttiwat
Supamit
S
Muangchana
Charung
C
Jolley
Damien
D
Brooks
Alan
A
Dejsirilert
Surang
S
Warintrawat
Sirisak
S
Guiver
Malcolm
M
Kunasol
Prayura
P
Maynard
James E
JE
Biggs
Beverley-Ann
BA
Steinhoff
Mark
M
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