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Biological diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis in the African meningitis belt: current epidemic strategy and new perspectives | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Research

Biological diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis in the African meningitis belt: current epidemic strategy and new perspectives

Chanteau S, Rose AMC, Djibo S, Nato F, Boisier P
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Abstract
Laboratory diagnosis is an essential component in surveillance of meningococcal epidemics, as it can inform decision-makers of the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup(s) involved and the most appropriate vaccine to be selected for mass vaccination. However, countries most affected face real limitations in laboratory diagnostics, due to lack of resources. We describe current diagnostic tools and examine their cost-effectiveness for use in an epidemic context. The conclusion is that current WHO recommendations to use only the latex agglutination assay (Pastorex) at epidemic onset is cost-effective, but recently developed rapid diagnostic tests for the major epidemic-causing meningococcal serogroups may prove a breakthrough for the future.

Subject Area

meningococcal meningitis

Languages

English
DOI
10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.04.037
Published Date
03 Sep 2007
PubMed ID
17517452
Journal
Vaccine
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 25
Issue Date
2007-09-01
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