[Meningococcal meningitis in Chile between 1990 and 2019]

Abstract

Since 1941, outbreaks of Neisseria meningitidis have been recorded in Chile which, to date, have varied according to clinical form, incidence, lethality, and the responsible serogroup.

Objective: To summarize the available evidence on the epidemiological profile of acute bacterial meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis in Chile, analyzing the incidence between 1990 and 2019.

Method: A systematized review of primary articles was carried out following the Cochrane Collaboration standards. The information sources were PubMed, Scielo, and LILACS. Publications on acute bacterial meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis were included, with a descriptive design, and in English and Spanish. Studies on the effectiveness of vaccines and diagnostic techniques were excluded.

Results: Between 1990 and 2019, the evidence collected focuses exclusively on the year 2012. Of the 133 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) reported that year, 42 cases presented with meningitis. Of the IMD cases caused by serogroup W135 strains, 21.7% of the cases presented with meningitis (13 cases), compared with the "Non-W135" strains, in which it was 67.4% (29 cases). Lethality due to IMD was higher in patients affected by serogroup W135 (26.7%), compared with patients affected by serogroup "Non-W135" (13.9%).

Discussion: The year 2012 shows a change in the prevalent serogroup from serogroup B to W, with a decrease in cases of meningitis and an increase in cases of meningo- coccemia and the lethality of IMD.