Background: Meningitis and meningoencephalitis (MME) are potential medical emergencies. Mandatory reporting of all MME cases in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) allows accurate characterization of MME incidence and course. In the present study, we described the epidemiology of MME in soldiers.
Methods: Medical charts of 860,000 combat and non-combat soldiers serving during the years 2004-2015, accounting for 2,256,060 patient years, were retrospectively evaluated. The diagnosis of MME was based on signs of meningeal irritation and a count of > 5 white blood cells (WBC) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Data on the diagnosis of bacterial or aseptic MME, significant sequelae, and associated mortality were collected.
Results: Approximately 273 cases of MME were diagnosed. Overall, MME incidence was 12.1/100,000 patient-years. Bacterial and viral pathogens were identified in 31/273 (11.4%) and 52/273 (19%) cases, respectively. Combat soldiers had higher incidence of bacterial meningitis [14/40 (35%) vs. 31/212 (14.6%); p = 0.002] and meningoencephalitis [13/40 (32.5%) vs. 33/212 (15.6%); p = 0.023] compared to non-combat soldiers. Their clinical presentation was more severe, including confusion [10/40 (25%) vs. 22/212 (10.4%); p = 0.018], focal neurological deficits [12/40 (30%) vs. 11/212 (5.2%); p < 0.0001], and status epilepticus [3/40 (7.5%) vs. 0/212 (0.0%); p < 0.01]. Mortality among combat soldiers was higher [5/40 (15%) vs. 1/212 (0.5%); p < 0.001]. N. meningitidis was the most frequently isolated bacteria, despite universal preventative vaccination.
Conclusion: The incidence of bacterial MME in the IDF is higher than in the civilian population. Combat soldiers present with higher incidence of meningoencephalitis and bacterial meningitis.
Keywords: meningitis; meningitis epidemiology; meningoencephalitis; military medicine; young adults.
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