High Rate of Meningococcal Disease in Baja-California, Mexico: An Unknown Endemic Disease with a Rate Similar to the USA
Year: 2008
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Meningococcal Disease (MD) is reported with a rate of 0.06/100,000 in Mexico, much lower than the 0.44/100,000 reported in the US. Tijuana, Baja-California, is a Mexican city that borders with San Diego, California, with a daily 50,000 people transit through the border. The real incidence of MD is unknown in this region. Methods: From Oct/15th to Jan/15th, an active search for MD was performed prospectively at the General Hospital of Tijuana, Baja-California, Mexico. Patients between 1 month and 16 years of age were included. Clinical, demographical and microbiological characteristics were analyzed. Results: A total of 14 confirmed (an approximate rate of 0.45/100,000) and 6 probable MD cases were found. From confirmed cases, 5 had clinical purpura (CP) and meningitis, 2 CP without meningitis and 7 meningitis without CP. Avg age was 5.2 years (5m - 16y), all children were local. Most cases were seen during winter and autumn, and a previous upper respiratory infection was present in 50% of cases. Incidence of serogroups found were C (64.3%), B (14.3%), Y (7.1%) and unknown (14.3%). Overall mortality was high (21%), and the presence of CP, trombocytopenia and prolonged clotting factors at admission were associated with poor prognosis. Furthermore, N. meningitidis was the major cause of confirmed bacterial meningitis. Conclusions: MD is endemic in Baja-California, Mexico, with similar rates to the US, but much higher when compared to Mexican-National reports. Serogroup C was the most prevalent, and immunization should be a Public Health issue in this Mexican region.
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,900
OpenAlex ID: W1998643386