Epidemiological characteristics of haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis cases in Hebei province

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features and laboratory detection results of haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). meningitis cases. Methods The active surveillance of encephalitis and meningitis was conducted in 6 hospitals in 4 randomly selected counties (district) in Hebei from May 2007 to December 2009. The blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected to conduct Hib culture and RT-PCR detection. Results Five cases of Hib meningitis were detected for the first time in Hebei, the incidence was about 0.36/lakh. The cases mainly occurred in Autumn and Winter and all were infants age 6-12 months in rural area, who were without Hib vaccination history and had taken antibiotics 1 week before sample collecting. The interval between initial medical seeking and final medical seeking was long. Their clinical symptoms and laboratory detection results were atypical. The cases were all had good prognosis and without sequela. Conclusion It is suggested to take samples from the children diagnosed as bacterial meningitis to conduct bacterial culture and conduct RT-PCR when it is possible, and it is suggested to conduct intensive surveillance of acute encephalitis and meningitis symptoms in China, and on the basis of the surveillance, nested case-control study should be conducted to evaluate the Hib infection status, risk factors and diseases burden accurately and feasibility of inclusion of Hib vaccine into EPI program.