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More work to do in fight against bacterial meningitis
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CHICAGO — Recently published data, which demonstrate that bacterial meningitis cases in the United States fell by 31% between 1998 and 2007, suggest that vaccines are having a significant effect on disease burden, but there is more work to be done, according to a speaker here.
Kathryn M. Edwards, MD, who is the Director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told an audience here that the Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumonia vaccines have both had huge effects on the rates of bacterial meningitis. The S. pneumonia vaccine alone has reduced meningitis due by 26%, according to the published data.
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Despite these successes, Edwards said, the data suggest more work is needed. She noted that one important study, which was published in The New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that giving these vaccines to children has shifted much of the disease burden to adults.
Edwards noted that the approval of the Neisseira meningitidis vaccine (MenAfriVac) developed through the Meningitis Vaccine Project will hopefully have an impact on further reducing disease rates in adults. She added that screening pregnant women for Group B streptococcus has further reduced cases, and a vaccine for this type of streptococcal infection will hopefully be moving into phase-3 clinical trials in South Africa soon. She noted this vaccine is sorely needed, as the data indicate the burden of streptococcal infection in newborns has not shifted at all in recent years, so other interventions are needed for those children too young to be vaccinated.
On the other hand, the Journal’s data indicate that rates in children between the ages of 2 and 10 have dropped by almost 60%, and this is “all driven by the conjugate pneumococcal vaccine licensed in 2000 (Prevnar, Wyeth),” Edwards said, adding that PCV13 vaccine (Prevnar13, Wyeth) will hopefully reduce cases even further. — by Colleen Zacharyczuk
Disclosure: Dr. Edwards reports no relevant disclosures.
For more information:
- Edwards K. #62. Hot Topics in Vaccines. Presented at: 51st ICAAC. Sept. 17-20, 2011. Chicago.
- Thigpen MC. NEJM. 2011; 364: 2016-2025.
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