2023-05-02 07:52:59
Only one in four acute meningitis is of bacterial origin. Among the bacteria involved, meningococcus is frequently found. After two years of low incidence of invasive meningococcal infections during the Covid-19 epidemic, Public Health France observes an increase in cases during the 2022-2023 winter season. Explanations.
Meningococcus, a major factor in acute bacterial meningitis
THE acute meningitis are infections which affect the meninges, the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord. Three-quarters of these infections are of viral origin, involving different viruses, and most often remain benign. The remaining quarter is linked to an infection by a bacterium, and very rarely by a parasite or a microscopic fungus. Among the bacteria involved in acute meningitis are:
- pneumococcus;
- The meningococcus;
- The Listeria ;
- L’Haemophilus influenzae de type b ;
- Escherichia coli.
Meningococcus is a common cause of bacterial meningitis worldwide. These meningitis are rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. In France, different groups of meningococci are involved in meningitis: group B, C, W and Y. Each year, with a peak in frequency during the winter season, around 500 to 600 cases per year are recorded, causing 50 to 60 death.
A resurgence of invasive meningococcal infections, after two years of low incidence
In France, there is a vaccination against the invasive meningococcal infections for different groups of meningococci. For the serogroup C, vaccination is part of the compulsory vaccinations for all infants born since the 1is January 2018. For serogroup B, vaccination is recommended for all young children, before the age of two. Vaccines against other serogroups only concern specific categories of the population. Those most at risk of invasive meningococcal disease are unvaccinated infants under one year old, children 1 to 4 years old, and young adults 15 to 24 years old.
In the absence of rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment, bacterial meningococcal meningitis can affect other areas of the central nervous system, then the infection can spread throughout the body (sepsis) . The evolution of the cases of infections is closely monitored by Public Health Francewhich has just published a point as of March 31, 2023. During the Covid-19 epidemic, the cases of these infections were few, but the trend is now towards upsurgeobserved during the winter of 2022-2023.
Protect yourself by respecting the vaccination recommendations
A peak in the incidence of invasive meningococcal infections was observed in December 2022, in particular during the last week of the year 2022. This peak was early compared to other winter seasons, during which the peak of The incidence generally occurred between January and March. After that peak in December, the numbers stayed high all winter, especially in January and March. Two phenomena could explain this resurgence of meningococcal infections:
- A drop inimmunity of the population, less exposed to meningococci during the pandemic years (confinements, social distancing, hygiene measures, etc.);
- A greater magnitude of winter viral infections and in particular seasonal flu, associated with a risk of bacterial superinfection.
Public Health France also notes regional disparities in the geographic distribution of meningococcal serogroups. The Agency maintains its vigilance and continues its epidemiological monitoring to implement specific and localized vaccination actions if necessary. It also recalls the importance of respecting the vaccination recommendations against these life-threatening infections.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– Meningitis: definition, causes and circumstances of occurrence. www.ameli.fr. Accessed April 24, 2023.
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