Abstract

FREITAS, Helen Selma de Abreu  and  MERCHAN-HAMANN, Edgar. Epidemiological aspects of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in Distrito Federal (DF), Brazil, before introduction of the conjugate vaccine. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2004, vol.13, n.1, pp.25-34. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742004000100004.

Haemophilus influenzae (HI) is the causative agent of the majority invasive diseases in childhood, including meningitis. This study has the objective to describe the surveillance and epidemiological features of HI meningitis in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. The epidemiological characteristics of HI meningitis were evaluated in a population-based descriptive study using secondary data from routine surveillance. Overall meningitis incidence in children under 5 years of age ranged from 82 to 110 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year; the proportion of cases due to HI was 23%. In the Distrito Federal, HI was the causative agent responsible for the highest proportion of bacterial meningitis cases in children under 5 years; the incidence rate for HI meningitis was 26 to 43 cases per 100,000 inhabitants aged 5 or less per year. During the 1990´s, the case fatality rate ranged from 11 to 18%. The predominant serotype of HI was type b. Epidemiological features are comparable to available information. This study provides a baseline for further studies aiming to evaluate the impact of the introduction of routine immunization in the Distrito Federal.

Keywords : Haemophilus influenzae (HI); epidemiology; meningitis; surveillance.

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