Abstract
Despite vaccination, pneumococcal meningitis remains a major pubic health problem with significant morbidity and mortality. This thesis explores pneumococcal meningitis in children less than 16 years of age in Western Australia over a 24 year period (1990-2013), identifying changes in the incidence, serotype distribution, antibiotic resistance, clinical course and outcome in non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal children in the pre and post pneumococcal conjugate vaccination (PCV) era. This thesis found a significant reduction in the incidence of pneumococcal meningitis. Serotype replacement occurred following 7vPCV with ongoing monitoring essential following 13vPCV introduction. Disease severity (neurological sequelae and mortality) remainedunchanged in the PCV era.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Masters |
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Award date | 18 Oct 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Unpublished - 2017 |