Epidemiological Aspects of Pneumococcal Meningitis in the Russian Federation

Introduction. Pneumococcal meningitis (PM) refers to severe manifestations of pneumococcal disease with high mortality and frequent post-infectious complications. In the context of the introduction of vaccination against pneumococcal infections in the Russian Federation healthcare practice increases the importance of close monitoring of the spread of the PM in the country, identifying areas of concern, the definition of risk and serotype structure of pneumococcus, which is an essential component of the assessment of the effectiveness of vaccination. Materials and methods. We collected 1380 cases identified by the PM on the territory of the Russian Federation in 2010 - 2014. We analyzed the incidence, mortality, mortality, age distribution, social belonging PM patients in the whole country, and in the federal districts. Determined serotype affiliation 35 pneumococcal strains isolated from patients with PM in Russia in 2015. Results. The proportion of pneumococci in the etiological structure of bacterial meningitis during the 2010 - 2014 fluctuated in the range of 18.4 - 24.8% and averaged 22.1%. The incidence of the PM in the Russian Federation in 2010 - 2014 determined at the level of 0.19, the death rate - 0.03. The level of mortality in pneumococcal meningitis in the Russian Federation in 2010 - 2014 increased from 13 (2010) to 21.1% (2014), the average was 17.1%. The most vulnerable age groups were adults over 25 years old and children up to 6 years. Among children under the age of 6 years mortality was 10.7%. The study of serotypes of 35 pneumococcal strains showed that in 2015 serotype structure of invasive pneumococcal vaccine serotypes maintained dominance, the proportion reached 75% for PCV13 and 54% for PCV10. Conclusion. The problem of pneumococcal meningitis remains valid in the Russian Federation. Active use of vaccines, especially in children, will reduce the incidence of this infection and the severity of its consequences.