Epidemiology of Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae Infections in Children in Spain, 1996-1998

J. Díez-Domingo, I. Pereiró, A. Morant, C. Gimeno, M. Lerma, I. Oyagüez, A. González

p 139-143, Volume 45, Number 3, October 2002

Abstract

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant cause of meningitis and septicemia in early infancy, being associated to a high case-fatality rates and serious sequelae.

Objective: To investigate the burden of invasive disease caused by S. pneumoniae in Valencia, Spain, during a three-year period (1996-1998).

Methods: Hospital-based prospective active surveillance program for invasive bacterial diseases in children <=15 years of age in Valencia, from December 1, 1995 to January 1999.

Results: A total of 94 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease were detected in patients <=15 years of age. The overall annual incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease was 4.6/100,000 persons, <=15 years of age. The incidence of invasive disease and meningitis was higher among children younger than 2 years of age (16.8 and 3.8, respectively). Serotypes 19, 14 and 6 accounted for 83% of the isolates.