Prospective population-based incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis in Thailand

Vaccine. 2004 Feb 25;22(8):975-83. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2003.09.013.

Abstract

There are limited prospective data for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease in Asia, where some countries are considering vaccine introduction. A prospective population-based study was conducted to measure the incidence of Hib meningitis in children in two northern provinces of Thailand. Children <5 years with symptoms consistent with bacterial meningitis were enrolled in the study if inclusion criteria were met. The study enrolled 598 children with clinical meningitis, 76% of whom received lumbar puncture. The rate of probable bacterial meningitis was 26.6/100,000 children <5 years per year. There were four cases of laboratory confirmed Hib meningitis (rate 3.8/100,000 children <5 years per year). These findings suggest a relatively low incidence of Hib meningitis. However, additional data from studies of pneumonia are needed to define the Hib disease burden in Thailand.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / epidemiology*
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / microbiology
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Spinal Puncture
  • Thailand / epidemiology