Haemophilus influenzae type b invasive disease and meningococcal disease: incidence and main characteristics in Barcelona, Spain, 1994-1995

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study is to estimate the incidence of Haemop hilus influenzae type b invasive disease (HiblD) and meningococcal disease (MD) in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) for the years 1994-1995. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were obtained from the nominal registry of the s urveillance system for reportable transmissible diseases of the Barcelona C ity Health Department, combining the reporting system with active surveilla nce, including microbiological reports and the review of hospital discharge registries to ensure completeness. RESULTS: During this two-years period there were 17 cases of HiblD (12 meni ngitis), and for 12 cases there was a laboratory confirmation. The annual i ncidence rate can be estimated at 15.4 cases of HiblD for 100,000 children below 5 years of age, and 4.5 cases for 100,000 children below 15 years. Th e annual incidence rates for Hib meningitis were 3.2 for 100,000 below 15 y ears. There were 60 cases of MD, and for 33 there was a laboratory confirma tion, with a majority of serogroup B. The annual incidence rate of MD can b e estimated at 32.6 cases for 100,000 below 5 years and 16 cases for 100,00 0 below 15 years, The incidence rate of meningococcal meningitis is at leas t 5.9 cases for 100,000 below 15 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the relatively low incidence of Hib meni ngitis in Barcelona, Spain, while the Hib vaccine was not in systematic use , much lower than the incidence of MD. The incidence rates are similar to a ll other population-based studies in Spain, except for the Basque Country s tudy.