scholarly journals Systematic review of invasive meningococcal disease epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean and North Africa region

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alp Giray Dogu ◽  
Anouk M. Oordt-Speets ◽  
Femke van Kessel-de Bruijn ◽  
Mehmet Ceyhan ◽  
Amine Amiche
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Invasive Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
National Surveillance

Abstract Background Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) represents a global health burden. However, its epidemiology in the Eastern Mediterranean (EM) and North Africa (NA) regions is currently not well understood. This review had four key objectives: to describe asymptomatic meningococcal carriage, IMD epidemiology (e.g. serogroup prevalence, case-fatality rates [CFRs]), IMD presentation and management (e.g. clinical diagnosis, antibiotic treatments) and economic impact and evaluation (including health technology assessment [HTA] recommendations) in EM and NA. Methods A systematic literature search (MEDLINE and EMBASE) was conducted (January 2000 to February 2021). Search strings included meningococcal disease and the regions/countries of interest. Identified publications were screened sequentially by title/abstract, followed by screening of the full-text article; articles were also assessed on methodological quality. Literature reviews, genetic sequencing or diagnostic accuracy studies, or other non-pertinent publication type were excluded. An additional grey literature search (non-peer-reviewed sources; start date January 2000) was conducted to the end of April 2019. Results Of the 1745 publications identified, 79 were eligible for the final analysis (n = 61 for EM and n = 19 for NA; one study was relevant to both). Asymptomatic meningococcal carriage rates were 0–33% in risk groups (e.g. military personnel, pilgrims) in EM (no data in NA). In terms of epidemiology, serogroups A, B and W were most prevalent in EM compared with serogroups B and C in NA. IMD incidence was 0–20.5/100,000 in EM and 0.1–3.75/100,000 in NA (reported by 7/15 countries in EM and 3/5 countries in NA). CFRs were heterogenous across the EM, ranging from 0 to 57.9%, but were generally lower than 50%. Limited NA data showed a CFR of 0–50%. Data were also limited in terms of IMD presentation and management, particularly relating to clinical diagnosis/antibiotic treatment. No economic evaluation or HTA studies were found. Conclusions High-risk groups remain a significant reservoir of asymptomatic meningococcal carriage. It is probable that inadequacies in national surveillance systems have contributed to the gaps identified. There is consequently a pressing need to improve national surveillance systems in order to estimate the true burden of IMD and guide appropriate prevention and control programmes in these regions.

scholarly journals Awareness and Preparedness of Field Epidemiology Training Program Graduates to Respond to COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Cross-Sectional Study

10.2196/19047 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e19047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Abdulwahed Al Serouri ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Shahd Osman
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Field Epidemiology Training Program

Background The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is a 2-year training program in applied epidemiology. FETP graduates have contributed significantly to improvements in surveillance systems, control of infectious diseases, and outbreak investigations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Objective Considering the instrumental roles of FETP graduates during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, this study aimed to assess their awareness and preparedness to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in three EMR countries. Methods An online survey was sent to FETP graduates in the EMR in March 2020. The FETP graduates were contacted by email and requested to fill out an online survey. Sufficient number of responses were received from only three countries—Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen. A few responses were received from other countries, and therefore, they were excluded from the analysis. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of the epidemiology of COVID-19, and preparedness to respond to COVID-19. Results This study included a total of 57 FETP graduates (20 from Jordan, 13 from Sudan, and 24 from Yemen). A total of 31 (54%) graduates had attended training on COVID-19, 29 (51%) were members of a rapid response team against COVID-19, and 54 (95%) had previous experience in response to disease outbreaks or health emergencies. The vast majority were aware of the main symptoms, mode of transmission, high-risk groups, and how to use personal protective equipment. A total of 46 (81%) respondents considered themselves well prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak, and 40 (70%) reported that they currently have a role in supporting the country’s efforts in the management of COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusions The FETP graduates in Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen were fully aware of the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the safety measures required, and they are well positioned to investigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they should be properly and efficiently utilized by the Ministries of Health to investigate and respond to the current COVID-19 crisis where the needs are vastly growing and access to outside experts is becoming limited.

Epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease in the Netherlands, 1960–2012: an analysis of national surveillance data

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 805-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merijn W Bijlsma ◽  
Vincent Bekker ◽  
Matthijs C Brouwer ◽  
Lodewijk Spanjaard ◽  
Diederik van de Beek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Invasive Meningococcal Disease ◽  
National Surveillance

scholarly journals Estimation of the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease using a capture-recapture model based on two independent surveillance systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Ciruela ◽  
Marta Vilaró ◽  
Gloria Carmona ◽  
Mireia Jané ◽  
Núria Soldevila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Invasive Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Clinical Form ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Adjusted Incidence

Abstract Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is an urgent notifiable disease and its early notification is essential to prevent cases. The objective of the study was to assess the sensitivity of two independent surveillance systems, the statutory disease reporting system (SDR) and the microbiological reporting system (MRS), and to estimate the incidence of IMD.Methods: The study was performed in Catalonia, Spain, between 2011 and 2015. The variables collected were age, sex, year of report, size of municipality (< 10,000 and ≥ 10,000), clinical form, death, serogroup, country of birth and type of reporting centre (private and public). The capture-recapture analysis and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Chapman formula. Multinomial logistic regression was performed for adjusted estimation.Results: The sensitivity of the two combined surveillance systems was 88.5% (85.0-92.0). SDR had greater sensitivity than the MRS (67.9%; 62.7-73.1 vs. 64.7%; 59.4-70.0). In 2014-2015, the sensitivity of both systems was higher (80.6%; 73.2–87.9 vs. 73.4%; 65.2–81.6) than in 2011-2013 (59.3%; 52.6–66.0 vs. 58.3%; 51.6–65.1). In private centres, the sensitivity was higher for SDR than for MRS (100%; 100–100 vs. 4.8%; -4.4–13.9). The adjusted estimate of cases was lower than that obtained using the Chapman formula (279; 266–296 vs. 313; 295–330). The estimated adjusted incidence of IMD was 0.7/100,000 persons-year.Conclusions: The sensitivity of enhanced surveillance through the combination of two complementary sources was higher than for the sources individually. Factors associated with under-reporting in different systems should be analysed to improve IMD surveillance.

scholarly journals Estimation of the real burden of invasive meningococcal disease in Argentina

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Gómez ◽  
P. Wetzler Malbrán ◽  
G. Vidal ◽  
M. Seoane ◽  
N. D. Giglio
Keyword(s):  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Invasive Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Reported Data

Abstract Among the different existing types of bacterial meningitis, the one caused by Neisseria meningitidis is the main presentation of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). IMD is a significant public health concern and has a reported incidence rate in Argentina of 0.44 cases per 100 000 inhabitants in 2015. However, the actual incidence is thought to be higher as passive surveillance systems neither report nor identify 100% of all cases. The aim of this study is to develop an estimation of the burden of IMD in Argentina closer to reality by adjusting/correcting several limitations observed in the surveillance data available. A retrospective observational study has been performed using four Argentinean national databases recording the number of IMD cases and deaths, serogroups of N. meningitidis and ages, between 2007 to 2016. The reported data were adjusted to account for underreporting and to also integrate the cases missed due to well-known limitations associated with the diagnosis of N. meningitidis detection methods. Data were further analysed by serogroups of N. meningitidis and by age groups. After these adjustments, the potential numbers of IMD cases and IMD-related deaths are estimated to be 3.1 and 1.9 higher than reported, respectively. The study corrects the previous underestimation of the disease burden and provides expectedly more robust estimates aligned with international evidence and highlights the importance of active surveillance, with high-quality methods, for a better definition of preventive strategies against IMD in Argentina.

scholarly journals Awareness and Preparedness of Field Epidemiology Training Program Graduates to Respond to COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohannad Al Nsour ◽  
Yousef Khader ◽  
Abdulwahed Al Serouri ◽  
Haitham Bashier ◽  
Shahd Osman
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Field Epidemiology ◽  
Field Epidemiology Training Program

BACKGROUND The Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) is a 2-year training program in applied epidemiology. FETP graduates have contributed significantly to improvements in surveillance systems, control of infectious diseases, and outbreak investigations in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). OBJECTIVE Considering the instrumental roles of FETP graduates during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, this study aimed to assess their awareness and preparedness to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in three EMR countries. METHODS An online survey was sent to FETP graduates in the EMR in March 2020. The FETP graduates were contacted by email and requested to fill out an online survey. Sufficient number of responses were received from only three countries—Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen. A few responses were received from other countries, and therefore, they were excluded from the analysis. The questionnaire comprised a series of questions pertaining to sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of the epidemiology of COVID-19, and preparedness to respond to COVID-19. RESULTS This study included a total of 57 FETP graduates (20 from Jordan, 13 from Sudan, and 24 from Yemen). A total of 31 (54%) graduates had attended training on COVID-19, 29 (51%) were members of a rapid response team against COVID-19, and 54 (95%) had previous experience in response to disease outbreaks or health emergencies. The vast majority were aware of the main symptoms, mode of transmission, high-risk groups, and how to use personal protective equipment. A total of 46 (81%) respondents considered themselves well prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak, and 40 (70%) reported that they currently have a role in supporting the country’s efforts in the management of COVID-19 outbreak. CONCLUSIONS The FETP graduates in Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen were fully aware of the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the safety measures required, and they are well positioned to investigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they should be properly and efficiently utilized by the Ministries of Health to investigate and respond to the current COVID-19 crisis where the needs are vastly growing and access to outside experts is becoming limited.

scholarly journals Rising trends of HIV, gonorrhoea, and syphilis in Europe make case for introducing European surveillance systems

2002 ◽  
Vol 6 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Twisselmann
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Systematic Literature Search ◽  
National Surveillance ◽  
European Level ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Epidemiological Monitoring

The prevalence of gonorrhoea and syphilis, and that of HIV infection among heterosexuals, has been increasing in many European countries since 1995, and surveillance of sexually transmitted infections other than HIV should be introduced at a European level, according to an article published in the BMJ last week (1) The authors studied new diagnoses of HIV infection reported by the 10 west European countries collaborating with the European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV, http://www.eurohiv.org/). For gonorrhoea and syphilis, they consulted published annual reports from national surveillance centres, and conducted a systematic literature search of published papers.

scholarly journals Assessing the reporting of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika to the National Surveillance System in Colombia from 2014–2017: A Capture-recapture analysis accounting for misclassification of arboviral diagnostics

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0009014
Author(s):  
Mabel Carabali ◽  
Gloria I. Jaramillo-Ramirez ◽  
Vivian A. Rivera ◽  
Neila-Julieth Mina Possu ◽  
Berta N. Restrepo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Reporting Rate ◽  
Mandatory Reporting ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
National Surveillance ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
National Surveillance System

Background Chikungunya, dengue, and Zika are three different arboviruses which have similar symptoms and are a major public health issue in Colombia. Despite the mandatory reporting of these arboviruses to the National Surveillance System in Colombia (SIVIGILA), it has been reported that the system captures less than 10% of diagnosed cases in some cities. Methodology/Principal findings To assess the scope and degree of arboviruses reporting in Colombia between 2014–2017, we conducted an observational study of surveillance data using the capture-recapture approach in three Colombian cities. Using healthcare facility registries (capture data) and surveillance-notified cases (recapture data), we estimated the degree of reporting by clinical diagnosis. We fit robust Poisson regressions to identify predictors of reporting and estimated the predicted probability of reporting by disease and year. To account for the potential misclassification of the clinical diagnosis, we used the simulation extrapolation for misclassification (MC-SIMEX) method. A total of 266,549 registries were examined. Overall arboviruses’ reporting ranged from 5.3% to 14.7% and varied in magnitude according to age and year of diagnosis. Dengue was the most notified disease (21–70%) followed by Zika (6–45%). The highest reporting rate was seen in 2016, an epidemic year. The MC-SIMEX corrected rates indicated underestimation of the reporting due to the potential misclassification bias. Conclusions These findings reflect challenges on arboviruses’ reporting, and therefore, potential challenges on the estimation of arboviral burden in Colombia and other endemic settings with similar surveillance systems.

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