Dataset Information

Pneumonia, meningitis, and septicaemia in adults and older children in rural Gambia: eight years of population-based surveillance.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Representative data describing serious infections in over five-year-old children and adults in Africa are limited.

Methods

We conducted population-based surveillance for pneumonia, meningitis, and septicaemia in a demographic surveillance area in The Gambia between May 12, 2008 and December 31, 2015. We used standardised criteria to identify, diagnose, and investigate patients aged ≥5 years using conventional microbiology and radiology.

Results

We enrolled 1638/1657 eligible patients and investigated 1618. Suspected pneumonia, septicaemia, or meningitis was diagnosed in 1392, 135, and 111 patients respectively. Bacterial pathogens from sterile sites were isolated from 105 (7·5%) patients with suspected pneumonia, 11 (8·1%) with suspected septicaemia, and 28 (25·2%) with suspected meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 84), Neisseria meningitidis (n = 16) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 15) were the most common pathogens. Twenty-eight (1·7%) patients died in hospital and 40 (4·1%) died during the 4 months after discharge. Thirty post-discharge deaths occurred in patients aged ≥10 years with suspected pneumonia. The minimum annual incidence was 133 cases per 100,000 person-years for suspected pneumonia, 13 for meningitis, 11 for septicaemia, 14 for culture-positive disease, and 46 for radiological pneumonia. At least 2·7% of all deaths in the surveillance area were due to suspected pneumonia, meningitis or septicaemia.

Conclusions

Pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia in over five year-old children and adults in The Gambia are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Many deaths occur after hospital discharge and most cases are culture negative. Improvements in prevention, diagnosis, inpatient and follow up management are needed urgently.

SUBMITTER: Green EW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9938739 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Pneumonia, Meningitis, and Septicemia in Adults and Older Children in Rural Gambia: 8 Years of Population-Based Surveillance.

Green Edward W EW Ndiaye Malick M Hossain Ilias M IM Olatunji Yekini A YA Sahito Shah M SM Salaudeen Rasheed R Badji Henry H Manjang Ahmed A Ceesay Lamin L Hill Philip C PC Greenwood Brian B Mackenzie Grant A GA

Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 20230201 4

<h4>Background</h4>Representative data describing serious infections in children aged ≥5 years and adults in Africa are limited.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted population-based surveillance for pneumonia, meningitis, and septicemia in a demographic surveillance area in The Gambia between 12 May 2008 and 31 December 2015. We used standardized criteria to identify, diagnose, and investigate patients aged ≥5 years using conventional microbiology and radiology.<h4>Results</h4>We enrolled 1638 of 1657 e ...[more]

PMID: 35903006

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