Consensus recommendation for meningococcal disease prevention for Hajj and Umra pilgrimage/travel medicine

The Islamic Hajj to Makkah [Mecca] has been associated with outbreaks of invasive meningpcoccal disease and the global spread of Neisseria Heningitidis serogroup W-135. For Hajj pilgrims the quadrivalent vaccination against serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y is a mandatory requirement. Novel conjugate vaccines may provide benefits for the community by reduction of carriage. With the introduction of the new generation of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines [Menveo, Menactra, and other pending license] and their recent implementation in Saudi Arabia, experts from 11 countries in the Middle East region met at a Meningococcal Leadership Forum [MLF], in Dubai in May 2010 to exchange opinions on meningococcal disease and prevention strategies. These experts discussed the importance of introducing conjugate vaccines for pilgrims and travellers, and elaborated a consensus recommendation to support healthcare professionals and decision-makers

In vitro activity of quinolones against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis in Saudi Arabia

Susceptibility of 88 clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates, 116 Haemophilus influenzae isolates and 80 Moraxella catarrhalis isolates to 6 fluoroquinolones--ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, trovafloxacin, grepafloxacin and gemifloxacin--were determined. Isolates were from patients with invasive disease at 4 hospitals in Saudi Arabia between 1996 and 1998. S. pneumoniae isolates were fully susceptible to trovafloxacin, grepafloxacin and gemifloxacin; susceptibility to ofloxacin and levofloxacin was 97.7% and 98.9% respectively. H. influenzae isolates were susceptible to all agents, except for trovafloxacin [99.1%]. M. catarrhalis strains were fully sensitive to all agents except ofloxacin [97.5%]. No isolates were resistant to gemifloxacin or grepafloxacin