Meningococcal infections in the Hamilton area during 1978

• Published in: Canadian Medical Association journal 1980-03, Vol.122 (5), p.541-545
• Main Authors: Fawcett, S, Achong, M. R, Adeniyi-Jones, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Cerebrospinal Fluid - microbiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Medication Errors; Meningococcal Infections - drug therapy; Meningococcal Infections - epidemiology; Meningococcal Infections - microbiology; Neisseria meningitidis - isolation & purification; Ontario; Penicillin G - therapeutic use; Rifampin - therapeutic use; Sulfadiazine - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0008-4409

During 1978 there was a marked increase in the number of patients with meningococcal infection in the Hamilton area. Of 21 patients admitted to St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, two thirds were under 5 years of age. Four patients died. All the isolates were sulfonamide-sensitive strains of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis. Although no infections developed in contacts, several errors were made in the management of the hospital and household contacts of the infected patients: chemoprophylaxis was given to many contacts not considered to be at risk; ineffective antibiotics, particularly penicillin, were given for chemoprophylaxis; and chemoprophylaxis was often delayed while the results of cultures of nasopharyngeal and throat secretions were awaited. Circulation to local physicians of guidelines on proven prophylactic regimens was followed by a reduction in the frequency of these errors.