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. 2020 Jul 4;61(2):E152-E161.
doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.2.1589. eCollection 2020 Jun.

Invasive meningococcal disease in Italy: from analysis of national data to an evidence-based vaccination strategy

S Igidbashian  1 , L Bertizzolo  1 , A Tognetto  2 , C Azzari  3   4 , P Bonanni  3 , P Castiglia  5 , M Conversano  6 , S Esposito  7 , G Gabutti  8 , G Icardi  9 , P L Lopalco  10 , F Vitale  11 , S Parisi  1 , G Checcucci Lisi  1
Affiliations

Invasive meningococcal disease in Italy: from analysis of national data to an evidence-based vaccination strategy

S Igidbashian et al. J Prev Med Hyg. .

Abstract

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable disease not yet under control. In Italy, although different anti-meningococcal vaccines are available, their offer among regions is heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of IMD in Italy based on analysis of national surveillance data for 2011-2017 to optimize the vaccination strategy.

Methods: IMD surveillance data from the Italian National Health Institute were analysed. Microsoft Excel was used to present trend analysis, stratifying by age and serogroups.

Results: In Italy, during the period 2011-2017, the incidence of IMD increased from 0.25 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2011 to 0.33 cases/100,000 in 2017. Most cases after 2012 were caused by non-B serogroups. The number of cases in subjects aged 25-64 years increased steadily after 2012 (36 cases in 2011, 79 in 2017), mostly due to non-B serogroups, representing more than 65% of cases in those aged 25+ years.

Conclusions: In the period from 2011 to 2017, the incidence of IMDs increased in Italy. The increase, probably due also to a better surveillance, highlights the importance of the disease in the adult population and the high level of circulation of non-B serogroups in particular after 2012. Our analysis supports an anti-meningococcal vaccination plan in Italy that should include the highest number of preventable serogroups and be aimed at vaccinating a wider population through a multicohort strategy.

Keywords: Anti-meningococcal vaccination strategies; Epidemiology; Invasive meningococcal diseases; Surveillance system.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest statement SI, LB, SP and GCL work for Sanofi Pasteur Italia. The other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Notification rate of cases of invasive meningococcal disease per 100,000 population by year, 2011-2017.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Absolute number of cases for serogroup B versus ACWY versus X + unnotified serogroup, 2011-2017.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Trends for the absolute number of cases for each typed serogroup, 2011-2017.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease by age groups and serogroups, 2011-2017.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Proportion of cases by serogroups and age groups, Italy, 2015-2017.
Fig. S1.
Fig. S1.
Proportion of cases in subjects ≥ 15 years divided for serogroup B versus ACWY versus X, 2015-2017.
Fig. S2.
Fig. S2.
Proportion of cases for serogroup B versus ACWY versus X and age groups, 2015-2017.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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