Viral meningitis: epidemiology and diagnosis

The introduction of conjugate vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae has led to a remarkable reduction in the incidence of bacterial meningitis in children, with viral meningitis now being the most common cause of CNS infections in children. 1 Martin NG Sadarangani M Pollard AJ Goldacre MJ Hospital admission rates for meningitis and septicaemia caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae in children in England over five decades: a population-based observational study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2014; 14: 397-405 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (93) Google Scholar , 2 Sadarangani M Willis L Kadambari S et al. Childhood meningitis in the conjugate vaccine era: a prospective cohort study. Arch Dis Child. 2015; 100: 292-294 Crossref PubMed Scopus (31) Google Scholar Hospital admissions for viral meningitis in children in England over five decades: a population-based observational studyTrends in viral meningitis admissions have changed substantially over the past 50 years, and probably reflect the impact of the MMR vaccine programme and the use of more sensitive diagnostic techniques. Full-Text PDF