SURVEILLANCE OF INVASIVE PNEUMOCOCCAL DISEASES IN VENETO REGION, ITALY

Background and Aims: Streptococcus pneumoniae is characterized by >90 serotypes and it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in children <5 years old and the elderly. It occurs mostly as meningitis, pneumonia and bacteremia. This study aims to describe the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in the Veneto Region (Northeast Italy). Methods: Data were collected through a system of active surveillance of invasive bacterial diseases based on microbiology laboratories of the hospitals and local health authorities. Results: In January 2007-June 2013 period, the Surveillance System of the Veneto Region received 963 IPD notifications. The notification rate was 3.0/100,000. The age distribution show a higher incidence in subjects <5 y old (7.4/100,000) and in ≥65 y old age group (7.2/100,000). A decreased IPD incidence in children <5 y old is pointed out from the last quarter of 2009, declining from 5.4 to 1.7/100,000 in the first quarter of 2013 (p<0.001); for the ≥65 y old age group, the notification rate trend shows a slow increase in the analyzed period (p=n.s.). A total number of 499 isolates were typified: 69.3% belongs to PCV13 serotypes, 17.6% to the additional PPSV23 serotypes; 13.0% of remaining isolates belongs to strains not included in the available vaccines. In the analyzed period, 68 deaths occurred, with a lethality rate of 7.1%; the 67.6% of deaths occurred in subjects ≥65 y old Conclusion: Current strategies have significantly reduced the IPD burden in subjects <5 y old Instead in the elderly, it is necessary a change of the vaccination strategy.