Medicine (Northwest Academic Centre) - Research Publications

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

Rerks-Ngarm, S ; Treleaven, SC ; Chunsuttiwat, S ; Muangchana, C ; Jolley, D ; Brooks, A ; Dejsirilert, S ; Warintrawat, S ; Guiver, M ; Kunasol, P ; Maynard, JE ; Biggs, BA ; Steinhoff, M (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 2004-02-25)

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.