BACKGROUND: Diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of Neisseria meningitidis has enabled accurate quantification of the bacterial load in patients with meningococcal disease. METHODS: Quantification of the N. meningitidis DNA level by real time-PCR was conducted on whole-blood samples obtained from patients presenting with meningococcal disease to hospitals throughout England and Wales over a 3-year period. Levels were correlated with clinical outcome, infecting serogroup, and host factors including, interleukin-1 genotype (IL-1). RESULTS: Bacterial loads were available for 1045 patients and were not associated with the age of the patient, delay in sample submission, or administration of antibiotics prior to admission. The median log bacterial load was higher in 95 patients who died (5.29 log(10)copies/mL; interquartile range, 4.41-6.30 log(10)copies/mL) than in 950 patients who survived (3.79 log(10)copies/mL; interquartile range, 2.87-4.71 log(10)copies/mL). Logistic regression revealed that age (odds ratio, 1.04 per 1-year increase in age) and bacterial load (odds ratio, 2.04 per log(10)-copies/mL increase) had a statistically significant effect on the risk of death. Infection with N. meningitidis serogroup C was associated with increased risk of death and an increased bacterial load. Also associated with a higher bacterial load were prolonged hospitalization (duration, >10 days); digit, limb, or soft-tissue loss; and requirement of hemodialysis. Carriage of IL-1RN(+2018) was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 2.14; P=.07) but not with a higher bacterial load. CONCLUSIONS: In meningococcal disease, bacterial load is associated with likelihood of death, development of permanent disease sequelae, and prolonged hospitalization. The bacterial load was relatively higher in patients infected with N. meningitidis serogroup C than in those infected with other serogroups. The effects of age and IL-1 genotype on mortality are independent of a high genomic bacterial load.
BACKGROUND: Diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of Neisseria meningitidis has enabled accurate quantification of the bacterial load in patients with meningococcal disease. METHODS: Quantification of the N. meningitidis DNA level by real time-PCR was conducted on whole-blood samples obtained from patients presenting with meningococcal disease to hospitals throughout England and Wales over a 3-year period. Levels were correlated with clinical outcome, infecting serogroup, and host factors including, interleukin-1 genotype (IL-1). RESULTS: Bacterial loads were available for 1045 patients and were not associated with the age of the patient, delay in sample submission, or administration of antibiotics prior to admission. The median log bacterial load was higher in 95 patients who died (5.29 log(10)copies/mL; interquartile range, 4.41-6.30 log(10)copies/mL) than in 950 patients who survived (3.79 log(10)copies/mL; interquartile range, 2.87-4.71 log(10)copies/mL). Logistic regression revealed that age (odds ratio, 1.04 per 1-year increase in age) and bacterial load (odds ratio, 2.04 per log(10)-copies/mL increase) had a statistically significant effect on the risk of death. Infection with N. meningitidis serogroup C was associated with increased risk of death and an increased bacterial load. Also associated with a higher bacterial load were prolonged hospitalization (duration, >10 days); digit, limb, or soft-tissue loss; and requirement of hemodialysis. Carriage of IL-1RN(+2018) was associated with increased mortality (odds ratio, 2.14; P=.07) but not with a higher bacterial load. CONCLUSIONS: In meningococcal disease, bacterial load is associated with likelihood of death, development of permanent disease sequelae, and prolonged hospitalization. The bacterial load was relatively higher in patients infected with N. meningitidis serogroup C than in those infected with other serogroups. The effects of age and IL-1 genotype on mortality are independent of a high genomic bacterial load.
Authors: Andrea Bacconi; Gregory S Richmond; Michelle A Baroldi; Thomas G Laffler; Lawrence B Blyn; Heather E Carolan; Mark R Frinder; Donna M Toleno; David Metzgar; Jose R Gutierrez; Christian Massire; Megan Rounds; Natalie J Kennel; Richard E Rothman; Stephen Peterson; Karen C Carroll; Teresa Wakefield; David J Ecker; Rangarajan Sampath Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2014-06-20 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Floris Fransen; Hendrik Jan Hamstra; Claire J Boog; Jos P van Putten; Germie P J M van den Dobbelsteen; Peter van der Ley Journal: Infect Immun Date: 2010-05-03 Impact factor: 3.441
Authors: M Meehan; M Cafferkey; S Corcoran; A Foran; N Hapnes; D LeBlanc; C McGuinness; U Nusgen; N O'Sullivan; R Cunney; R Drew Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2015-10-03 Impact factor: 3.267
Authors: Tamara D Simon; Brian Van Yserloo; Kevin Nelson; David Gillespie; Randy Jensen; James P McAllister; Jay Riva-Cambrin; Chris Stockmann; Judy A Daly; Anne J Blaschke Journal: Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 2013-08-13 Impact factor: 2.803
Authors: Jay R Laver; Tânia M Stevanin; Sarah L Messenger; Amy Dehn Lunn; Margaret E Lee; James W B Moir; Robert K Poole; Robert C Read Journal: FASEB J Date: 2009-08-31 Impact factor: 5.191