Abstract:
Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and the pathogen spectrum of acute meningitis and encephalitis syndromes (AMES) in Baoji, Shaanxi from 2013 to 2017.
Methods We developed local AMES surveillance protocol and conducted surveillance in Baoji according to the surveillance protocol and case definition. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted by using the incidence data of AMES in Baoji.
Results A total of 1 282 AMES cases were reported during 2013–2017, and the reported cases increased year by year. Among these cases, viral AMES accounted for 66.38%; AMES cases in urban area and in rural area accounted for 18.25% and 81.75% respectively. The urban-rural ratio of the cases was 1∶4.48. The incidence peak of viral AMES occurred from July to October (51.95%), and the incidence of bacterial meningitis peaked during December-March and June-September, accounting for 38.18% and 33.64% respectively; Most cases were children aged <10 yeas (65.29%), and the cases mainly occurred in children outside child care settings (42.67%). The positive rate of IgM against Japanese encephalitis virus was 7.72%, and Japanese encephalitis virus was detected from 47 other AMES cases (47.47%). The detection rates ofNeisseria meningitides, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza type b were 2.42%, 0.62%, and 2.50% respectively.
Conclusion Due to the possible misdiagnoses and missed diagnoses of encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus and meningitis caused by N. meningitides, S. pneumoniae and H. influenza type b, AMES surveillance can improve the performance of clinical diagnoses of the diseases. It is still necessary to further strengthen AMES surveillance in Baoji.