2026-05-17T00:18:22Zhttps://repisalud.isciii.es/rest/oai/request

oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/264152025-12-18T12:57:21Zcom_20.500.12105_2052com_20.500.12105_2051col_20.500.12105_19609

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Al-Abri, Seif S author Abuhasan, Musallam Yunus author Albayat, Soha Shawqi A author Bai, Xilian author Bastaki, Hamad author Borrow, Ray author Caugant, Dominique A author Dbaibo, Ghassan author Deghmane, Ala-Eddine author Dinleyici, Ener Cagri author Ghuneim, Nedal author Sheek-Hussein, Mohamud author Lucidarme, Jay author Leng, Sean author Koliou, Maria G author Sáfadi, Marco A P author Salman, Jameela Al author Al-Sanouri, Tarek author Smith, Vinny author Taha, Muhamed-Kheir author Vazquez-Moreno, Julio Alberto author Wright, Claire author Yezli, Saber author 2024-02 This review details recent findings from the Global Meningococcal Initiative's (GMI) recent meeting on the surveillance and control strategies for invasive meningococcal disease in the Middle East. The nature of case reporting and notification varies across the region, with many countries using bacterial meningitis as an IMD case definition in lieu of meningitis and septicaemia. This may overlook a significant burden associated with IMD leading to underreporting or misreporting of the disease. Based on these current definitions, IMD reported incidence remains low across the region, with historical outbreaks mainly occurring due to the Hajj and Umrah mass gatherings. The use of case confirmation techniques also varies in Middle Eastern countries. While typical microbiological techniques, such as culture and Gram staining, are widely used for characterisation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is utilised in a small number of countries. PCR testing may be inaccessible for several reasons including sample transportation, cost, or a lack of laboratory expertise. These barriers, not exclusive to PCR use, may impact surveillance systems more broadly. Another concern throughout the region is potentially widespread ciprofloxacin resistance since its use for chemoprophylaxis remains high in many countries. Al-Abri SS, Abuhasan MY, Albayat SSA, Bai X, Bastaki H, Borrow R, Caugant DA, Dbaibo G, Deghmane AE, Dinleyici EC, Ghuneim N, Sheek-Hussein M, Lucidarme J, Leng S, Koliou MG, Sáfadi MAP, Salman JA, Al-Sanouri T, Smith V, Taha MK, Vázquez J, Wright C, Yezli S. Meningococcal disease in the Middle East: A report from the Global Meningococcal Initiative. J Infect. 2024 Feb;88(2):71-76. 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.10.011 1532-2742 0163-4453 The Journal of infection 37866792 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/26415 Meningococcal disease Middle East Serogroup Surveillance Vaccination Meningococcal disease in the Middle East: A report from the Global Meningococcal Initiative.