A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in India
Abstract Introduction Meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis has a high case fatality rate. Of 12 distinct serogroups, A, B, C, W-135 (W) and Y cause the majority of infections. The meningococcal disease burden and epidemiology in India are not reliably known. Hence, we performed a n...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Adis, Springer Healthcare
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Infectious Diseases and Therapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-020-00323-4 |
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| author | Ashok Kumar Dutta Subramanian Swaminathan Veronique Abitbol Shafi Kolhapure Sripriya Sathyanarayanan |
| author_facet | Ashok Kumar Dutta Subramanian Swaminathan Veronique Abitbol Shafi Kolhapure Sripriya Sathyanarayanan |
| author_sort | Ashok Kumar Dutta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis has a high case fatality rate. Of 12 distinct serogroups, A, B, C, W-135 (W) and Y cause the majority of infections. The meningococcal disease burden and epidemiology in India are not reliably known. Hence, we performed a narrative review with a systematically conducted search to summarize information on meningococcal disease burden and epidemiology and vaccination recommendations for meningococcal disease in India. Methods A search of Medline and Embase databases was undertaken to identify relevant publications published in the last 25 years. Results Results from 32 original publications, 11 of which were case reports, suggest a significant burden of meningococcal disease and related complications. Meningococcal disease is increasingly reported among adolescents and adults, and large outbreaks have been reported in this population. Meningococcal disease in India is caused almost exclusively by serogroup A; serogroups B, C, W and Y have also been documented. Meningococcal disease burden data remain unreliable because of limited disease surveillance, insufficient laboratory capacity, misdiagnosis and prevalence of extensive antibiotic use in India. Lack of access to healthcare also increases under-reporting, thus bringing the reliability of the data into question. Conjugate meningococcal vaccines are being used for disease prevention by national governments and immunization programs globally. In India, meningococcal vaccination is recommended only for certain high-risk groups, during outbreaks and for international travelers such as Hajj pilgrims and students pursuing studies abroad. Conclusion Meningococcal disease is prevalent in India but remains grossly underestimated and under-reported. Available literature largely presents outbreak data related to serogroup A disease; however, non-A serogroup disease cases have been reported. Reliable epidemiologic data are urgently needed to inform the true burden of endemic disease. Further research into the significance of meningococcal disease burden can be used to improve public health policy in India. Fig. 1 Plain language summary |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T23:51:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-50d183201678437992f887b8f3769082 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2193-8229 2193-6382 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T23:51:18Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | Adis, Springer Healthcare |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Infectious Diseases and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-50d183201678437992f887b8f37690822022-12-21T22:11:19ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareInfectious Diseases and Therapy2193-82292193-63822020-07-019353755910.1007/s40121-020-00323-4A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in IndiaAshok Kumar Dutta0Subramanian Swaminathan1Veronique Abitbol2Shafi Kolhapure3Sripriya Sathyanarayanan4Department of Pediatrics, Indraprastha Apollo HospitalsDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Gleneagles Global HospitalsGlobal Medical Affairs, GSKMedical Affairs Department, GSKMedical Affairs Department, GSKAbstract Introduction Meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis has a high case fatality rate. Of 12 distinct serogroups, A, B, C, W-135 (W) and Y cause the majority of infections. The meningococcal disease burden and epidemiology in India are not reliably known. Hence, we performed a narrative review with a systematically conducted search to summarize information on meningococcal disease burden and epidemiology and vaccination recommendations for meningococcal disease in India. Methods A search of Medline and Embase databases was undertaken to identify relevant publications published in the last 25 years. Results Results from 32 original publications, 11 of which were case reports, suggest a significant burden of meningococcal disease and related complications. Meningococcal disease is increasingly reported among adolescents and adults, and large outbreaks have been reported in this population. Meningococcal disease in India is caused almost exclusively by serogroup A; serogroups B, C, W and Y have also been documented. Meningococcal disease burden data remain unreliable because of limited disease surveillance, insufficient laboratory capacity, misdiagnosis and prevalence of extensive antibiotic use in India. Lack of access to healthcare also increases under-reporting, thus bringing the reliability of the data into question. Conjugate meningococcal vaccines are being used for disease prevention by national governments and immunization programs globally. In India, meningococcal vaccination is recommended only for certain high-risk groups, during outbreaks and for international travelers such as Hajj pilgrims and students pursuing studies abroad. Conclusion Meningococcal disease is prevalent in India but remains grossly underestimated and under-reported. Available literature largely presents outbreak data related to serogroup A disease; however, non-A serogroup disease cases have been reported. Reliable epidemiologic data are urgently needed to inform the true burden of endemic disease. Further research into the significance of meningococcal disease burden can be used to improve public health policy in India. Fig. 1 Plain language summaryhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-020-00323-4AdolescentsAdultsChildrenImmunizationIndiaMenACWY vaccine |
| spellingShingle | Ashok Kumar Dutta Subramanian Swaminathan Veronique Abitbol Shafi Kolhapure Sripriya Sathyanarayanan A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in India Infectious Diseases and Therapy Adolescents Adults Children Immunization India MenACWY vaccine |
| title | A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in India |
| title_full | A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in India |
| title_fullStr | A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in India |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in India |
| title_short | A Comprehensive Review of Meningococcal Disease Burden in India |
| title_sort | comprehensive review of meningococcal disease burden in india |
| topic | Adolescents Adults Children Immunization India MenACWY vaccine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-020-00323-4 |
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