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Invasive meningococcal disease in children in Greece: comparison of serogroup A disease with disease caused by other serogroups

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Abstract

Although invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroup A is not prevalent in developed countries, a considerable number of cases were recently recorded in Greece. In this study, serogroup A meningococcal disease was compared prospectively with meningococcal disease caused by other serogroups, using similar settings of testing and management during a 5-year period between 1999 and 2003. The Neisseria meningitidis serogroup was determined in 262 cases. Serogroup B predominated, accounting for 158 (60%) of the cases. Serogroup A was second most frequent (19%), followed by serogroups W135 (11%), C (8%), and Y (2%). No cases due to serogroup C were recorded during the last year of the study. Patients with serogroup A disease were older and had a milder course compared to patients infected with serogroups B or C. Toxic appearance, purpura, thrombocytopenia, abnormal coagulation tests, and the need for admission to the intensive care unit, fluid resuscitation, inotropic drugs, and mechanical ventilation were less common. Although morbidity and mortality were lower in these patients, the differences were not significant. Serogroup B is predominant in our area, and the introduction of an effective vaccine against it is a priority. Serogroup A has emerged as the second most common serogroup, but the illness associated with it is milder.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the following physicians and heads of the departments who shared the data of their patients with us: A. Chatzis, J. Papadatos, K. Kassiou, E. Papadaki, A. Yelesme, G. Tsolas, V. Korovesi, and A. Mavri.

This study was supported in part by grants from the Special Research Account of the University of Athens (KA70/4/5927) and the Greek Ministry of Health and Welfare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second Dept of Pediatrics “P. and A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, University of Athens School of Medicine, Thivon and Levadias St., 115 27, Athens, Greece

    M. N. Tsolia, V. Vlachou, F. Stripeli, D. Kafetzis & A. Konstantopoulos

  2. First Dept of Pediatrics, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, University of Athens, Thivon and Papadiamandopoulou St., 115 27, Athens, Greece

    M. Theodoridou & G. Mostrou

  3. Intensive Care Unit, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Thivon and Papadiamandopoulou St., 115 27, Athens, Greece

    P. Kalabalikis

  4. Department of Microbiology, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Thivon and Papadiamandopoulou St., 115 27, Athens, Greece

    A. Pangalis

  5. National Meningococcal Reference Laboratory, National School of Public Health, 196 Alexandras Ave., 115 21, Athens, Greece

    G. Tzanakaki & J. Kremastinou

Authors
  1. M. N. Tsolia
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  2. M. Theodoridou
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  3. G. Tzanakaki
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  4. V. Vlachou
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  5. G. Mostrou
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  6. F. Stripeli
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  7. P. Kalabalikis
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  8. A. Pangalis
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  9. D. Kafetzis
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  10. J. Kremastinou
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  11. A. Konstantopoulos
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Correspondence to M. N. Tsolia.

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Tsolia, M.N., Theodoridou, M., Tzanakaki, G. et al. Invasive meningococcal disease in children in Greece: comparison of serogroup A disease with disease caused by other serogroups. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 25, 449–456 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-006-0155-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-006-0155-6

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