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DC Field | Value | Language |
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dc.contributor.author | Muscat, Mark | - |
dc.contributor.author | Spiteri, Gianfranco | - |
dc.contributor.author | Calleja, Neville | - |
dc.contributor.author | Haider, Julie | - |
dc.contributor.author | Gray, Stephen J. | - |
dc.contributor.author | Maistre Melillo, Jackie | - |
dc.contributor.author | Mamo, Julian | - |
dc.contributor.author | Cuschieri, Paul | - |
dc.date.accessioned | 2020-10-02T13:33:22Z | - |
dc.date.available | 2020-10-02T13:33:22Z | - |
dc.date.issued | 2006 | - |
dc.identifier.citation | Muscat, M., Spiteri, G., Calleja, N., Haider, J., Gray, S. J., Maistre Melillo, J., & Cuschiero, P. (2006). Invasive meningococcal disease in Malta : an epidemiological overview, 1994–2007. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 58(11), 1492-1498. | en_GB |
dc.identifier.uri | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/61092 | - |
dc.description.abstract | Since 1996, Malta has experienced an upsurge of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) following an almost 30 year period with a negligible number of annually reported cases. We reviewed the 233 IMD cases notified during a 14 year period (1994–2007), and analysed epidemiological and laboratory surveillance data. The crude incidence per 100 000 inhabitants peaked in 2000 at 8.1 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 5.7–11.6] and again in 2006 at 8.9 (95 % CI 6.4–12.4), thereby placing Malta amongst the countries with the highest incidence of the disease in Europe. Of the total cases, 137 (59 %) were confirmed and 30 (13 %) were classified as probable. However, 66 cases (28 %) had no laboratory evidence of the disease and were classified as possible. Information on the serogroup was available for 114 cases. Serogroup B formed the largest proportion (76 %, n=87) followed by serogroup C (16 %, n=18). B : 4 : P1.19,15 strains (n=46) predominated throughout the study period since their first identification in 1998. With 28 deaths attributed to IMD, the overall case fatality rate was 12 %. Apart from stressing the importance of maintaining high vigilance for IMD, our findings underscore the importance of enhancing laboratory surveillance of the disease, including characterization of the meningococci. Until vaccines against a broad range of serogroup B meningococci become available for universal use, the main methods of control remain the early treatment of cases and the prevention of secondary cases. | en_GB |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.publisher | The Microbiology Society | en_GB |
dc.rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess | en_GB |
dc.subject | Infectious diseases | en_GB |
dc.subject | Meningococcal infections -- Malta | en_GB |
dc.subject | Cerebrospinal fluid | en_GB |
dc.subject | Confidence intervals | en_GB |
dc.title | Invasive meningococcal disease in Malta : an epidemiological overview, 1994–2007 | en_GB |
dc.type | article | en_GB |
dc.rights.holder | The copyright of this work belongs to the author(s)/publisher. The rights of this work are as defined by the appropriate Copyright Legislation or as modified by any successive legislation. Users may access this work and can make use of the information contained in accordance with the Copyright Legislation provided that the author must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the prior permission of the copyright holder. | en_GB |
dc.description.reviewed | peer-reviewed | en_GB |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1099/jmm.0.011312-0 | - |
dc.publication.title | Journal of Medical Microbiology | en_GB |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacM&SPH |
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Invasive_meningococcal_disease_in_Malta_an_epidemiological_overview_1994-2007_2006.pdf Restricted Access | 164.82 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
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