Twenty Years of Active Bacterial Core Surveillance

Abstract

Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) was established in 1995 as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Emerging Infections Program (EIP) network to assess the extent of invasive bacterial infections of public health importance. ABCs is distinctive among surveillance systems because of its large, population-based, geographically diverse catchment area; active laboratory-based identification of cases to ensure complete case capture; detailed collection of epidemiologic information paired with laboratory isolates; infrastructure that allows for more in-depth investigations; and sustained commitment of public health, academic, and clinical partners to maintain the system. ABCs has directly affected public health policies and practices through the development and evaluation of vaccines and other prevention strategies, the monitoring of antimicrobial drug resistance, and the response to public health emergencies and other emerging infections.

Keywords: ABCs; Active Bacterial Core Surveillance; EIP; Emerging Infections Program; bacteria; invasive bacterial infections; surveillance.

Figure 1

Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in children <5 and adults >65 years of age, Active Bacterial Core surveillance, United States, 1998–2012. PCV7, 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; PCV13, 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Figure 2

Incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease, by age group, United States, 1989–2012.

Figure 3

Incidence of early-onset group B Streptococcus disease before and after issuance of guidelines, United States, 1990–2010. AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics; ACOG, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Figure 4

Incidence of invasive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (defined as MRSA isolated from a normally sterile source) infections, by epidemiologic category, Active Bacterial Core surveillance, United States, 2005–2011 (20).

Figure 5

Number of pertussis cases reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, 1922–2014. Inset shows detail view of data for 1990–2014. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System and Supplemental Pertussis Surveillance System, 1922–1949; passive reports to the Public Health Service. Data for 2014 are provisional. DTP, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis vaccine; DTap, diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine given to children up to 7 years of age; Tdap, tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine given to adolescents and adults.