PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Prognostic utility of the semi-quantitative procalcitonin test, neutrophil count and C-reactive protein in meningococcal infection in children.

UNLABELLED: The aim was to determine whether semi-quantitative procalcitonin (PCT-Q) measurements on admission can identify the severity of meningococcal infection in children. A total of 65 children (mean age 2.4 years) with meningococcal disease were included in a prospective study. All patients were treated with antibiotics, rehydration, inotropic drugs and mechanical ventilation if presenting with shock or respiratory failure. On admission, blood was drawn for routine laboratory analyses including absolute neutrophil count (NC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and PCT-Q (immunochromatographic test). A total of 33 patients presented with septic shock on admission of whom 18 developed multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and 9 died. Forty-three patients showed a very high PCT-Q level (>or=10 ng/ml), 12 showed values between 2-9.9 ng/ml and the remaining 10 patients showed PCT-Q levels<2 ng/ml. All patients with a PCT-Q level<10 ng/ml survived, whereas all those who developed MODS or died had PCT-Q levels>or=10 ng/ml. Receiver operator curve analysis showed that PCT-Q and NC had a high predictive value for MODS and death. PCT-Q showed a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100% and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.0 for MODS and death. CONCLUSION: semi-quantitative procalcitonin levels under 10 ng/ml predict good outcome of children with meningococcal infection. It is a highly sensitive method to identify patients with an increased risk of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or death.

C-Reactive Protein↗
PubMed1998

False positive diagnosis of meningococcal infection by the IS1106 PCR ELISA.

At a time when optimal case ascertainment for meningococcal infection is a high priority, the need for non-culture case confirmation, in particular by DNA amplification, is seen as being of vital importance to assist contact management and cluster recognition. A solution hybridisation assay with colorimetric microtitre plate detection (polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR ELISA)¿ has been developed using the multicopy insertion sequence IS1106 which had reportedly achieved a specificity of 100% and was described as being meningococcal specific. This PCR ELISA assay was evaluated on specimens from over 5000 patients at the national Meningococcal Reference Unit (MRU) between late 1995 and early 1997 and was found to be highly sensitive. Insertion sequences, however, are genetically mobile with the ability to spread between species and even genera. During the evaluation period of the IS1106 PCR ELISA a number of false positives proved to be caused by organisms other than N. meningitidis were recorded resulting in the withdrawal of this assay as a front line screening assay for routine confirmation of meningococcal infection.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1982

[Meningococcal infection in the Uzbek SSR].

The epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal infection in Uzbekistan during the period of 8 years since its last epidemic rise in 1972 is presented. Differences in the intensity of the epidemic process among the urban and rural population due to a considerable isolation of most of the rural populated localities from the district centers and the low population density in the republic have been established. The seasonal distribution of the infection had a winter-spring character in urban areas and a spring character in rural areas. 63.4% of all cases were children under 14 years. In cities a high morbidity level among adolescents and young people was determined mainly by visitors from rural areas. A high epidemiological importance of healthy carriers, predominantly schoolchildren and young people was established. The immunological studies of humoral immunity in different groups of the population indicate that the process of immunization was more rapid in cities.

Child↗
PubMed1982

[Use of a dynamic conditional model for analyzing the epidemic process in meningococcal infection in the closed collective].

The article deals with the main trends of using the dynamic model of the epidemic process in meningococcal infection in close groups with a view of solving scientific and practical tasks connected with the analysis of the epidemic situation, the formation of conditional groups with specified properties in relation to the spread of meningococci. The parameters used in the model, characterizing the process in the closed group, are described, and possible sources of information allowing to determine these parameters are indicated. Limited possibilities for practical use of mathematical simulation of the epidemic process in meningococcal infection at the contemporary level of knowledge is shown.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1997

Clinical predictors of epidemic outcome in meningococcal infection in Jos, Nigeria.

The clinical predictors of outcome in children admitted into the Emergency Paediatric Unit at the Jos University Teaching Hospital with meningococcal infection during an out-break of the disease (between February-April 1996) were studied. Eighty seven children were admitted with meningococcal infection during the period. There were 60 males and 27 females (M:F = 2.2:1), aged between five weeks and 16 years (mean 7.7 +/- 4.9 years). Overall mortality was 26.4 per cent. Eighty five per cent of the patients who presented in shock died, compared with nine per cent who presented without shock (p < 0.000001). Similarly, 65% of the patients who presented in coma died, compared with 12.5% who did not present in coma (p < 0.000001). Other factors associated with a poor outcome included age one year and below, petechial/purpuric rash on presentation and meningococcaemia. Complications were documented in 27 (31.0%) of the patients, consisting mainly of deafness, extensive vasculitis/ulceration of extremities, gangrene of legs hemiparesis and cranial nerve palsies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Rapid diagnosis of acute meningococcal infections by needle aspiration or biopsy of skin lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of Gram staining and culture of skin lesions in patients with acute meningococcal infections. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Community hospital and intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: 51 patients admitted from 1989 to 1993 with proved meningococcal infections and microbiological examination of specimens from skin lesions. INTERVENTIONS: Needle aspiration of a skin lesion before start of antibiotic treatment in 26 patients in the community hospital; punch biopsy of skin lesion after start of antibiotic treatment in 25 patients in the teaching hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Detection of meningococci by Gram staining of specimens from skin lesions according to category of infection (meningococcaemia, meningitis, meningitis with shock, or septic shock without meningitis). RESULTS: Bacteria were detected in the specimen from haemorrhagic skin lesions by culture or Gram staining, or both in 32 (63%) patients. The sensitivity of the Gram stain was 51% and did not differ significantly from its sensitivity in detecting bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid. In meningococcal sepsis, however, a Gram stained skin lesion was significantly more sensitive (72%) than Gram stained cerebrospinal fluid (22%). In patients with meningitis skin lesions gave positive results on staining more often if shock was present. The results for punch biopsy specimens were not affected by antibiotics as Gram staining gave positive results up to 45 hours after the start of treatment and culture gave positive results up to 13 hours. CONCLUSION: Microbiological examination of skin lesions is informative, especially in patients with sepsis and inconclusive results from cerebrospinal fluid, and may provide a diagnosis in such patients within 45 minutes. It differentiates well between meningitis with and without haemodynamic complications, and the result is not affected by previous antibiotic treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Meningococcal infections in England and Wales: 1992.

Fewer cases of meningococcal infection were identified in England and Wales during 1992 than in 1991. The 1301 isolates received by the PHLS Meningococcal Reference Unit represented a decrease of 7%, continuing the trend of the last two years. Most regions saw a reduction in cases, but increased numbers of isolates were received from some regions, notably Northern (up 22%), East Anglia (up 25%) and South West Thames (up 50%). Group C infections (down 17%) contributed disproportionately to the decrease; the numbers of isolates of this organism being the lowest since 1986. Serology is a reliable diagnostic method in cases where no isolate is obtained.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

[Incidence, clinical, forms and complications of meningococcal infections (author's transl)].

Eighty four cases of meningococcal infections are reviewed. Fifty seven cases presented themselfs as meningococcal meningitis, twelve cases as sepsis with moderate hypotension and 15 cases were sepsis with septic shock. A brief course of the disease, shock, echymosis, absence of meningeal signs, leucopenia and intravascular coagulation were findings more frequent in the group of patients with hiperacute sepsis, whereas other signs as fever, headaches, vomiting and petechiae were present with equal frequency in the three groups. N. meningitis was isolated in 73% of the cases. Shock (18.85%) and intravascular coagulation (12%) were the complications more frequently found, followed by convulsions (4.81%), arthritis (4.81%), skin necrosis (4.81%), subdural efusion (3.57%), cerebral palsy (3.40%), thrombophlebitis (1.20%), recurrence (1.20%), inapropiate antidiuretic hormone secretion (1.20%) and subaracnoideal hemorrage (1.20%). The overall mortality was 10.70% and 60% of the patients which initially presented with shock and intravascular coagulation died. Autopsy findings included wide spred hemorragic lesions and intravascular thrombi in skin, mucous membranes and viscera. Adrenal hemorrhage was present in five of the six cases studied.

Cerebrospinal Fluid↗
PubMed1986

[Dynamics of the level of antibodies to protein antigens of the Meningococcus serogroup A in the serum of patients with meningococcal infection].

Two characteristics were determined in the sera of patients by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques: the RIA titer and the characteristic indicating the presence of highly avid antibodies in the serum. This investigation revealed that in the sera of patients with meningococcal infection of moderate severity the values of the RIA titer of IgM, IgG and IgA, as well as the values indicating the levels of highly avid IgM, IgG and IgA, increased as the infection progressed. In patients with the severe form of meningococcal infection the values of the RIA titer of IgA and IgA increased, while the RIA titer of IgG remained practically unchanged. No dynamic changes in the characteristics indicating the presence of highly avid antibodies in the serum were observed.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1978

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in patients with meningococcal infection: laboratory diagnosis and prognostic factors.

In 36 patients with meningococcal infection a close association between the laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and unfavourable prognostic factors was established. Patients with platelet count lessthan 100000/microliter, Normotest lessthan 50% and plasma fibrinogen concentration less than 100 mg/dl had a serious prognosis. No significant differences could be extablished between patients with infection from serogroup A and B meningococci for either laboratory evidence of DIC or prognostic factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Detection of individuals within a group of risk for meningococcal infection morbidity in organized collectives].

The survey of 2,500 persons in different educational organized groups has been carried out by the method based on the study of changes occurring in the standard population of group A meningococci due to its interaction with the surviving culture of human leukocytes. The heterogeneity of humans with regard to the individual antimeningococcal activity of their blood irrespective of their levels of humoral immunity and complement activity has been revealed. The survey has shown the possibility of detecting the groups of risk among the members of organized groups having, according to our data, a significantly higher level of morbidity in generalized meningococcal infection and meningococcal carriership (including epidemiologically important groups A, B and C).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Immunological factors in the evolution of the epidemic process in meningococcal infection].

The results obtained in 1987 in the study of the immunostructure of the population of Yaroslavl with respect to meningococcal polysaccharides, groups, A, B, C, and lipopolysaccharide are presented in comparison with earlier results obtained in 1976. The regulating role of the immunological factor in the evolution of the epidemic process of meningococcal infection has been confirmed. The level of antibodies to meningococcal polysaccharides, groups A and B, has been found to reflect the intensity of the circulation of the infective agent among the population. The comparison of the results of investigations carried out in 1976 and 1987 has revealed the essential role of the lipopolysaccharide antigen in the formation of the postinfection immunity of the population to meningococcal infection, irrespective of the group of the infective agent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal infection and the prediction of the development of an epidemic process].

The signs necessary for the prognostication of the development of the epidemic process have been formulated on the basis of the epidemiological analysis of materials obtained in the process of trials of the system for the surveillance of meningococcal infection with the use of previously established characteristics. The data on the prevalence of meningococcal infection among different age groups and on the seasonal distribution of the infection as well as on the serogroups of meningococci isolated from patients, have been shown to be of importance for prognostication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1972

Immunoelectroosmophoresis in the diagnosis of meningococcal infections.

Specimens of cerebrospinal fluid and serum from 22 cases of meningococcal infection were examined by immunoelectroosmophoresis and the results compared with those obtained by microscopy and culture. The results were the same except that three of 10 cases of group B infection were not diagnosed by immunoelectroosmophoresis and two of 10 cases of group C infection were not diagnosed by culture. The sensitivity of the method depends on the potency of the antiserum used and antisera from commercial sources were satisfactory except for those prepared against group B meningococci. The method may be more sensitive than microscopy and culture under certain conditions, in particular, where the patient has already begun antibiotic treatment, where the specimens have become contaminated and, where the infecting organism is either a group A or group C meningococcus.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Age incidence of meningococcal infection England and Wales, 1984-1991.

The age incidence of meningococcal infections occurring between 1984 and 1991 in England and Wales was determined from data submitted with isolates to the Meningococcal Reference Laboratory for England and Wales. The incidence was maximum at 6 months of age and thereafter declined sharply to the age of 4 years. It was followed by a small secondary peak at 17-18 years. There was a relative excess of group B infections in the early months of life and, although group B and group C infections both peaked at 6 months of age, the latter did not decline until after the age of 9 months. Certain strains of meningococci were more likely to be associated with disease in older children and young adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[The dynamics of erythrocyte metabolism in severe forms of meningococcal infection and suppurative meningitis in children].

In 63 children with severe meningococcal infection (MI) and meningitides of another origin red cell metabolism was studied: levels of ATP, ADP, AMP, ATP/ADP, ATP/AMP, energetic charge, 2,3-DPG, FAD, piruvate, lactate, activity of lactate dehydrogenase, piruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutatione reductase, Mg2+, Na+, K(+)-dependent ATPase. All the disease periods were characterized by combined pathobiochemical shifts of different degree typical for varying metabolic systems and correlating with the infection severity. The discussion covers pathogenetic and clinical significance of red cell metabolism shifts in patients with MI and purulent meningitides.

Acute Disease↗