Epidemiological surveillance of meningeal and encephalic syndrome in the Mexican Social Security Institute, 2012–2014

Abstract

Objective

To describe the incidence, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of meningitis and cephalic disorder from 2012 to 2014 at the Mexican Social Security Institute (MSSI).

Material and methods

Descriptive analysis of the epidemiological surveillance system for meningococcal disease. A univariate analysis was performed to measure the main trends and dispersion. The Wilson test was used to calculate 95% confidence intervals for proportions and a Kaplan–Meier analysis for survival.

Results

113 probable cases of meningococcal disease. Cases with a positive result for meningococcus had an overall crude incidence rate of 0.02 cases per 100,000 social security beneficiaries. The disease is predominant in winter. The clinical symptoms in adults differ from those in children. In all, 20 deaths were reported, with an overall mortality rate of 17.7% and a rate of 20% for meningitis cases. The estimated mean survival time was 61.6 days (95% CI, 45.08, 75.18). The probability of surviving meningitis 2 days after the onset of symptoms was 0.944; after 20 days, it was 0.758 and after 87 days it was 0.427. Survival models were used, stratified by sex and age, with no statistically significant differences.

Conclusions

Epidemiological surveillance needs to be strengthened in terms of coverage between districts and timely reporting, with health personnel involved.