Clinical Features of Epidemic Cerebrospinal Meningitis of Children in Shanghai Area during 2006 to 2008 / 实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the epidemiology and clinical features of epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis of children in Shanghai area in the last 2.5 years. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 27 hospitalized patients with epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis by analyzing the clinical manifestation,epidemiology and laboratory test fingdings from Jan.2006 to Jun.2008.Statistical analysis of the clinical manifestations of cases in serogroup A,B and C was performed according to Neisseria meningitidis infection. Results There were sporadic cases of children with epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis in Shanghai area in the last 2.5 years.The seasonal distribution illustrated the peak occurrence from Feb.to Apr.Among all these cases,92.6% were floating children.Common types(74.1%) were the predominant clinical manifestations and the others were fulminate types(25.9%).Four cases in each of serogroup A and B,and 8 cases of serogroup C were identified by serotyping on 14 Neisseria meningitidis strains and genotyping on the other 2 cases′ cerebrospinal fluid specimens.All the patients in serogroup A with meningococcal diseases were not vaccinated before and 25.0% of them belonged to fulminate types.Half of the cases had petechia on the skin and the prevalence of skin necrosis was 25.0% and 50% had complications of nervous system.No fulminate type was present in cases of serogroup B meningococcal disease and only 1 case had slight petechia on the skin.However,intensive convulsions occurred in 75.0% of the patients,and all of them had complication of nervous system,with a few had sequela.Among the patients in serogroup C meningococcal disease,62.5% patients were vaccinated with serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis.In serogroup C,Neisseria meningitidis infection was found in each age group,with petechia on skin,skin necrosis,immunity correlation fever and complications of nervous system in 87.5%,50.0%,75.0% and 12.5% of the patients,respectively. Conclusions 1.Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis occurred sporadically in children in Shanghai area,the majority of patients were floating populations.2.Clinical manifestation was typical in patients of serogroup A meningococcal disease.Subdural effusion or ventricalitis was more common in patients of serogroup B meningococcal disease.In serogroup C,Neisseria meningitidis was the most prevalent serotype leading to epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis.More cases were found in patients infected with serogroup C,Neisseria meningitidis with severe shock and immunity correlation fever compared with the other groups.Prophylactic vaccination of serogroup C polyvalent meningococcal organism should be recommended.