Meningitis epidemic

The interest in polysaccharide-based vaccines was originated already in the 1930s and associated mainly with bacterial meningitis and pneumonia. In 1945, a Sp-vaccine made from CPS of four serotypes was studied [4] but the advent of chemotherapeutics and antibiotics diminished the interest in this area of study. A resurgence of interest in preventative medicine occurred only after several decades due to the increase in bacterial antibiotic resistance and the occurrence of meningitis epidemics. 

In Mger, fake meningitis vaccines, administered during an epidemic in which more than 26 700 people had contracted the disease, led to the deaths of 2 500 people ). Substandard and counterfeit products are not only a problem in developing countries, but in developed countries as well (7,8,9,10,11). 

Nathan N, Borel T, Djibo A, Evans D, Djibo S, Corty JE et al. Ceftriaxone as effective as long-acting chloramphenicol in short-course heatment of meningococcal meningitis during epidemics a randomised noninferiority study. Lancet 2005 366(9482) 308-13. 

Epidemics of bacterial meningitis have been described in crowded places such as military institutions and schools. In some countries in Africa ( meningococcal belt ) the incidence of seasonal meningococcal meningitis is so high that meningococcal vaccination is advised. 

Pestilence is a type of virulent infectious disease caused by heat-toxins, such as epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, poliomyelitis and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The warm-febrile diseases develop in the body at four levels, referred to as Wei, Qi, Ying and Xue. In pestilence cases,... 

Other indicalions First-year colle students living in dormitories microbiologists who are routinely exposed to isolates of Neisseria meningitids, military recruits and persons who travel to or live in countries in which meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic (eg, the "meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa duringthe dry season pecember-June]), particularly... 

Because N. meningitidis is known to cause epidemics of disease, close contacts of patients with such meningitis (other children in day care with the patient, other military personnel within the same training camp, and people living within the patient s household), are treated with Rifampin. This generally prevents spread of the disease. 

Prevention of spread amongst contacts (in epidemics and/or sporadic cases). Spread of influenza A can be partially prevented by amantadine in an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis, or when there is a case in the family, rifampicin may be used very young and fragile nonimmune child contacts of pertussis might benefit from erythromycin... 

Meningococcal meningitis often occurs in epidemics in closed communities, but also in isolated cases. Close personal contacts should receive oral rifampicin 600 mg 12-hourly for 2 days. Single doses of oral ciprofloxacin (500 mg) or i.m. ceftriaxone (2 g) are alternatives, the latter of particular value for pregnant women. 

Serogroups A, B, C, W135, and Y are responsible for more than 90% of meningococcal meningitis. The disease affects the early infancy but also occurs in older children and particularly adolescents [8]. In the so-called meningitis belt of Africa, a well-characterized epidemic pattern is observed for group A with some occurrence of group C. 

Meningitis belt with cyclic, major epidemics... 

Approximately 1.2 million cases of acute bacterial meningitis, excluding epidemics, occur every year around the globe, resulting in... 

Meningococcal vaccine (quadrivalent polysaccharide for serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135)—Consider vaccination for persons with medical indications adults with terminal complement component deficiencies, with anatomic or functional asplenia. Other indications travelers to countries in which disease is hyperendemic or epidemic ("meningitis belt" of sub-Saharan Africa, Mecca, Saudi Arabia for Hajj). Revaccination at 3-5 years may be indicated for persons at high risk for infection (e.g., persons residing in areas in which disease is epidemic). 

The recurrence of well-characterized epidemic-prone diseases such as cholera, dengue, influenza, measles, meningitis, shigellosis, and yellow fever... 

Indications Warm disease, initial stage. Common cold, flus, acute tonsillitis, mumps, measles, scarlatina, epidemic meningitis, encephalitis B, acute suppurative infections, and early stage sores. 

Indications Yang ming qi division exuberance of heat. Gingivitis, encephalitis B, epidemic meningitis, diabetes mellitus, lobar pneumonia, high fever due to febrile disease, erysipelas, scarlatina, measles, common cold, flus, anxiety and emotional disorders, eczema, and pruritus... 

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