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Overview

Generalities
Agents Several agents:
 
1) Bacteria:
- Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus): the serotypes responsible of invasive infection are A, B, C, W135, Y, X
- Haemophilus influenza: there are 6 serotypes from (a) to (f). The serotype (b) is responsible of invasive infection
- Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus): there are more than 90 serotypes
- Other bacterial agents: listeria, staphylococcus, enteric bacteria, group B streptococci, tuberculosis …
 
2) Virus:
- Mumps
- Measles
- West Nile virus: a flavivirus
- Enterovirus: including Coxsackieviruses A (1-11, 14, 16-18, 22, 24), Coxsackieviruses B (1-6), Echoviruses (1-7, 9-23, 25, 27, 30-33), Enterovirus 71, Poliovirus (1-3)
- Herpes Simplex virus: with 2 types 1 and 2
- Varicella / Chicken-pox: Human (alpha) herpesvirus 3 (varicella-zoster) from the group Herpesvirus
- Adenovirus: Adenovirus, several types (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7), genus Mastadenovirus, family Adenoviridae,
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis: lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (arenavirus)
- Sandfly fever viruses: genus phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae. They include more than 60 antigenically distinct virus serotypes. Two main groups are identified: the sandfly fever group including the Naples serocomplex (Karimabad virus, Arabia virus, Massilia virus, Punique virus, Tehran virus, Toscana virus …) and Sicilian serocomplex; and the Uukuniemi group.
-Other virus: arboviruses…
 
3) Parasites and fungi:
- Leptospirosis: Spirochetes, Leptospira interrogans  (25 serogroups)
- Other:  Candida albicans, cryptococcal, syphilis …
Incubation The incubation varies with the agent.
 
Agent Incubation
Bacteria  
Neisseria meningitidis 3-4 days (2-10 days)
Haemophilus influenza 2-4 days
Streptococcus pneumoniae 1-4 days
Listeria monocytogenes 3-70 days (median of 3 weeks)
Virus  
West Nile virus 3-12 days
Enterovirus 7-14 days (2-35 days)
Herpes 2-12 days
Varicella / Chicken-pox 2-3 weeks
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus 8-13 days (15-21 days for meningitis)
Adenovirus 1-10 days
Sandfly fever viruses 3-4 days (up to 6 days)
Parasites and Mycoses  
Leptospira 2-30 days (10 days)
 
 
 
Period of communicability The period of communicability varies with the agent.
 
Agent Period of communicability
Bacteria  
Neisseria meningitidis From onset and up to 24 hours after starting antibiotherapy that has effective concentrations in nasopharynx.
Haemophilus influenza From onset and up to 24-48 hours of starting effective antibiotherapy.
Streptococcus pneumoniae As long as the bacteria is present in the upper respiratory tract.
Listeria monocytogenes - Mothers of infected newborns can shed the bacteria in vaginal discharges and urine 7-0 days after delivery
- Infected patients can shed the bacteria in stool for several months
Virus  
West Nile virus No person-to-person transmission.
Enterovirus - Virus excreted in stools for several weeks
- Virus excreted in pharynx for the first 2 weeks post infection
Herpes 2-7 weeks after skin lesions onset.
Varicella / Chicken-pox 2 days before until the skin lesions are crusted (5 days).
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus No person to person transmission.
Adenovirus Shortly prior to and for the duration of the active disease
Sandfly fever viruses Virus present in blood of infected patients 1 day before and 1 day after onset of illness.
Parasites and Mycoses  
Leptospira Excreted in urine for 1 month
 
 
Reservoir The reservoir varies with the agent.
 
Agent Reservoir
Bacteria  
Neisseria meningitidis Humans
Haemophilus influenza Humans
Streptococcus pneumoniae Humans, possible carriage.
Listeria monocytogenes Soil, forage, water, mud and silage.
Virus  
West Nile virus Birds
Enterovirus Humans
Herpes Humans
Varicella / Chicken-pox Humans
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus House mouse (Mus musculus), hamster colonies. The mouse excretes the virus in saliva, feces and urine.
Adenovirus Humans
Sandfly fever viruses Humans, rodents.
Parasites and Mycoses  
Leptospira Wild and domestic animals
 
 
Modes of transmission The modes of transmission vary with the agent.
 
Agent Modes of transmission
Bacteria  
Neisseria meningitidis Person to person transmission: direct contact with droplet, nasal and throat discharge
Haemophilus influenza Person to person transmission: direct contact with respiratory, nasal and throat discharge.
Streptococcus pneumoniae Person to person transmission: direct contact with respiratory discharge
Listeria monocytogenes - Food-borne: ingestion of raw or contaminated milk, soft cheese vegetables and ready-to-eat meats (Pate)
- Direct contact with infectious material
- Neonatal: from mother to fetus or from mother to newborn (through the infected birth canal)
- Nosocomial transmission in nursery: via contaminated equipment or material
Virus  
West Nile virus Bite by infected mosquitoes (Culex sp, or Anophele sp)
Enterovirus - Person-to-person:
- Fecal-oral
- Contact with respiratory secretions
- Contact with conjunctival secretions
- Contaminated water / swimming pools
- Flies
Herpes - Person-to-person:
- Contact with saliva
- Sexual contact
- Soiled hands
- Neonatal (infected birth canal)
Varicella / Chicken-pox - Person-to-person:
- Contact with droplets
- Contact with vesicle fluid
- Indirect contact
- Airborne
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus - Airborne: contaminated dust
- Food-borne: ingestion of contaminated food
- Direct contact: skin contamination or cuts
Adenovirus - Person-to-person:
- Fecal-oral route
- Respiratory transmission
- Inoculation with conjunctival secretions
- Nosocomial
- Contaminated water and swimming pools
Sandfly fever viruses Bite of infective phlebotomine (Phlebotomus papatasi, P. perfiliewi , P. perniciosus, P. major sensu lato )
Parasites and Mycoses  
Leptospira - Contact with abraded skin or mucous membranes with soil, vegetation, contaminated with urine of infected animals or contaminated water
- Direct contact with urine or tissues of infected animals
- Ingestion of food or water contaminated with urine of infected animals
 
 
Clinical The symptoms vary with the agent.
 
Agent Clinical picture
Bacteria  
Neisseria meningitidis Meningitis, septicaemia
Haemophilus influenza Meningitis, epiglottitis, pneumonia …
Streptococcus pneumoniae Meningitis, pneumonia, septicaemia
Listeria monocytogenes  
Virus  
West Nile virus - Usually asymptomatic.
- Complication: meningitis and encephalitis
Enterovirus - Asymptomatic,
- Gastro-enteritis, flu-like illness, aseptic meningitis, paralysis
Herpes - Gingivostomatitis (type1), genital infection (type 2)
- Complications: meningoencephalitis
- Reactivation is possible
Varicella / Chicken-pox - Skin eruption: first maculo-papular then vesicular.
- Complications: pneumonia, hemorrhage, meningoencephalitis
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus - Influenza-like illness.
- Complications: meningitis, parotiditis, arthritis, myocarditis…
Adenovirus - Epidemic herato-conjunctivitis, gastro-enteritis, pharyngo-conjunctival fever, acute respiratory infection
- Complications: meningoencephalitis
Sandfly fever viruses - Usually self-limited disease: fever, myalgia, headache, photophobia …
- Complications: Aseptic meningitis and meningoencephalitis (Toscana),
Parasites and Mycoses  
Leptospira Rash, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage, hepato-renal failure, mental confusion, myocarditis…
 
 
Worldwide  
Agent Profil
Bacteria  
Neisseria meningitidis Endemic in the African meninigitis belt (from Senegal to Ethiopa)
Haemophilus influenza Worldwide under 5 years
Streptococcus pneumoniae Worldwide
Listeria monocytogenes Worldwide
Virus  
West Nile virus Widespread in Africa, Middle East, North America, India.
 
Enterovirus Worldwide
Herpes Worldwide
Varicella / Chicken-pox Worldwide
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus America, Europe.
Adenovirus Worldwide
Sandfly fever viruses In Mediterranean counties, Europe and Middle East
Parasites and Mycoses  
Leptospirose Worldwide
 
 
Lebanon The annual average of reported cases of meningitis is 192.
Among them, meningitis due to Neisseria meningitis occurs with 6 (2-12) cases per year.
Among them, meningitis due to Haemophilus influenza occurs with 1 (0-2) cases per year.
Among them, meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae occurs with 19 (16-21) cases per year.
 
Control objective Control
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ATC Name B/G Ingredients Dosage Form Price
L02BX03 ZYTIGA B Abiraterone acetate - 500mg 500mg Tablet, film coated 72,383,958 L.L
N03AX09 LAMICTAL B Lamotrigine - 50mg 50mg Tablet 1,753,895 L.L
N05BA08 LEXOTANIL B Bromazepam - 3mg 3mg Tablet, scored 413,903 L.L
R05FA02 TUSCALMAN A B Noscapine HCl - 5mg, Guaifenesin - 25mg Suppository 624,963 L.L
V01AA DIATER B Allergen extracts - Spray 26,856,672 L.L
L01DC01 BLEOCIN B Bleomycin (sulfate) - 15U 15U Injectable lyophilised powder for solution L.L
G04CA02 OMNIC OCAS B Tamsulosin HCl - 0.4mg 0.4mg Tablet, film coated, prolonged release 866,778 L.L
J01MA12 TAVANIC B Levofloxacin - 500mg 500mg Tablet, film-scored 1,150,329 L.L
J07BC02 HAVRIX JUNIOR 720 B Hepatitis A, inactivated, whole virus - 720 ELISA units/0.5ml 720 ELISA units/0.5ml Injectable suspension 1,491,665 L.L
N03AX11 TOPAMAX 25 B Topiramate - 25mg 25mg Tablet, film coated 858,715 L.L
R05FA02 TUSCALMAN B B Noscapine HCl - 10mg, Guaifenesin - 50mg Suppository 615,992 L.L
V01AA ACARIZAX 12 SQ-HDM ORAL LYOPHILISATE B Allergen extracts - 12 SQ-HDM Tablet, lyophilised 9,366,451 L.L
A03AX COLPERMIN B Pepermint oil - 187mg 187mg Capsule, delayed release 632,950 L.L
J01MA12 TAVANIC B Levofloxacin - 500mg 500mg Tablet, film coated, scored 1,150,329 L.L
J07BC02 AVAXIM PEDIATRIQUE (vaccin inactivé de l'hépatite A adsorbé) B Hepatitis A, inactivated, whole virus - 80 antigen units/0.5ml 80 antigen units/0.5ml Injectable suspension 1,531,980 L.L
N05BA08 LEXOTANIL B Bromazepam - 1.5mg 1.5mg Tablet, scored 299,677 L.L
V03AB14 PROSULF 1% B Protamine sulfate - 50mg/5ml 1% Injectable solution 8,216,459 L.L
L04AA44 RINVOQ B Upadacitinib - 15mg 15mg Tablet, prolonged release L.L
A11EX BECOZYM FORTE B Nicotinamide - 50mg, Calcium Pantothenate - 25mg, Biotin - 0.15mg, Vitamin B12 - 10mcg, Vitamin B6 - 10mg, Vitamin B2 - 15mg, Vitamin B1 - 15mg Capsule 290,270 L.L
J07BC02 VAQTA B Hepatitis A, inactivated, whole virus - 25U/0.5ml 25U/0.5ml Injectable suspension 2,539,862 L.L
L01EF01 IBRANCE B Palbociclib - 100mg 100mg Capsule 172,164,216 L.L
N01BB03 SCANDONEST 3% sans vasoconstricteur B Mepivacaine - 54mg/1.8ml 3% Injectable solution 1,670,396 L.L
V03AB35 BRIDION B Sugammadex - 200mg/2ml 100mg/ml Injectable solution 54,230,830 L.L
A03AX SPASMO-DIGESTIN B Simethicone - 30mg, Dicyclomine HCl - 5mg, Sodium dihydrocholate - 10mg, Sanzyme 3500 - 36mg, Papain - 100mg Tablet, enteric coated 260,705 L.L
A11GA01 REDOXON EFF.ORANGE B Ascorbic acid (vit C) - 1g 1g Tablet, effervescent 366,869 L.L
C10AB05 LIPANTHYL 200 M B Fenofibrate - 200mg 200mg Capsule 1,115,364 L.L
L01EF01 IBRANCE B Palbociclib - 100mg 100mg Tablet, film coated 172,164,216 L.L
N03AX11 TOPAMAX B Topiramate - 50mg 50mg Tablet, film coated 1,914,976 L.L
N05BA12 XANAX B Alprazolam - 0.5mg 0.5mg Tablet 477,064 L.L
A03AX12 SPASFON B Phloroglucinol hydrate - 80mg, Trimethylphloroglucinol - 80mg Tablet, coated 278,175 L.L
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