Prophylaxis of bacterial meningitis

A comprehensive review of all major agents causing bacterial meningitis-men ingococcus of the groups A, B, C, W-135, and Y, pneumococcus, and Haemophil us influenzae type B (Hib)-is done in terms of preventing them by chemoprop hylaxis or vaccination. Some evidence suggests that the group B meningococc al disease may also be very likely preventable by a vaccine that is already available. Excellent Hib conjugates use a technique that is expected to re volutionize immunoprophylaxis against most meningococcal and pneumococcal d iseases in the near future. Unfortunately, the high cost of conjugate vacci nes restricts their use in many poor countries.