Abstract |
Bacterial meningitis remains a feared diagnosis that may lead to significant mortality and morbidity in both the developed and developing world; case fatality rates range from 10% to 50% among all age groups. Several vaccines are available (including the Haemophilus influenzae type B polysaccharide conjugate vaccine) that have proven effective in reducing the incidence of bacterial meningitis. Although a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine has been available for some time, use of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has demonstrated a dramatic reduction in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease; despite the increase in the disease caused by nonvaccine-serotype strains, the success of the 7-valent PCV is noteworthy. A quadrivalent conjugate meningococcal vaccine has been available in the United States since 2005; although its true efficacy remains to be determined, there have been dramatic results with declining incidence in certain high-risk populations and in endemic areas.
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Authors | Renuka Verma, Margaret C Fisher |
Journal | Current infectious disease reports
(Curr Infect Dis Rep)
Vol. 11
Issue 4
Pg. 302-8
(Jul 2009)
ISSN: 1523-3847 [Print] United States |
PMID | 19545500
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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