title: Changing epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Europe from the mid-20th to the early 21st Century.
abstract: The epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Europe since 1945 has shown fluctuations in incidence, serogroup distribution and case-fatality rate. Outbreaks and epidemics driven by the introduction of new virulent strains into Europe have occurred unpredictably. Epidemics associated with serogroups A and B have occurred in all regions of the continent. Additionally, there have been periods of increased outbreak frequency, such as those associated with serogroup C in the 1980s and 1990s, against an endemic disease incidence of around one to two cases per 100,000 population. Serogroup W135 disease was observed in the 1970s and again in 2000, while serogroup Y has recently emerged in Sweden and the Czech Republic. This article describes the changing epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Europe. An understanding of this is important for informed decision-making about different meningococcal vaccines that may be considered for use in Europe.
authors: National Reference Laboratory for Meningococcal Infections, National Institute of Public Health, Srobarova 48, 100 42, Prague 10, Czech Republic. pavla.krizova@szu.cz
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Kriz
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Wieffer
authors: Katsiaryna
authors: K
authors: Holl
authors: Mats
authors: M
authors: Rosenlund
authors: Sangeeta
authors: S
authors: Budhia
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Vyse
mesh_terms: D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000266:history*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*