Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Serogroup X Meningococcal Meningitis during an Outbreak in Western Kenya, 2005–2006
Date
2009Author
Mutonga, DM
Pimentel, G
Muindi, J
Nzioka, C
Mutiso, J
Klena, JD
Morcos, M
Ogaro, T
Materu, S
Tetteh, C
Messonnier, NE
Breiman, RF
Feikin, DR
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The epidemiology of serogroup X meningococcal meningitis in Africa is unknown. During a serogroup X
meningococcus outbreak in Kenya, case finding involved record review at health facilities and interviews with health
workers and community leaders in West Pokot district. An age- and location-matched case-control study for risk factors
was done. From December 2005 to April 2006, 82 suspect cases of meningitis were reported; the epidemic threshold was
surpassed within two administrative divisions. Most (58%) cases were 5–24 years old; the case-fatality ratio was 21%.
Serogroup X meningococcus was the most common serogroup – 5 (63%) of eight isolates serogrouped. Living in the same
compound as another case, preceding upper respiratory tract infection and cooking outside the house were significant risk
factors for disease. Serogroup X meningococcus caused an outbreak with similar epidemiology and risk factors as other
serogroups. Serogroup-specific laboratory-based surveillance for meningococcus in Africa to detect serogroup X disease
should be enhanced.
URI
http://www.ajtmh.org/content/80/4/619.full.pdf+htmlhttp://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/39822