Pneumococcal serotype distribution among meningitis cases from Togo and Burkina Faso during 2007-2009.

We evaluated pneumococcal serotype/group distribution using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on cerebrospinal fluid collected from patients from Burkina Faso and Togo who presented for care during 2007-2009. We identified 282 pneumococcal meningitis cases based on PCR, latex agglutination, or culture, of which 206 underwent serotyping. Serotype 1 was identified for 18% of serotyped cases from patients aged <5 years and 66% of those aged ≥5 years. The 13-valent and 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV-13 and PCV-10) contain 53% of serotypes identified among children age <5 years and 76-77% among persons aged ≥5 years. Pneumococcal meningitis was highly seasonal regardless of serotype. Data from this study emphasize the potential usefulness of PCVs among older children and adults.
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