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Antibiotic prescribing during an outbreak of meningococcal disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

J. M. Stuart ,
P. M. Robinson ,
K. Cartwright  and
N. D. Noah
J. M. Stuart
Affiliation:
Gloucester Health Authority, Rikenel, Montpellier, Gloucester GL1 1LY
P. M. Robinson
Affiliation:
Gloucester Health Authority, Rikenel, Montpellier, Gloucester GL1 1LY
K. Cartwright
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester
N. D. Noah
Affiliation:
Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London
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Summary

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During a prolonged outbreak of meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B serotype 15 sulphonamide-resistant strains in one British health district, there was considerable variation in attack rates by town. General practitioner (GP) antibiotic prescribing rates were compared in high and low incidence towns. The only significant difference found was that erythromycin prescribing was more frequent in the high incidence towns (rate ratio 4·0, 95% CI 3·2–4·8, in March 1987 and 3·0, 95% CI 2·4–3·7, in November 1987). This was probably due to increased GP consultation rates for upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), but higher erythromycin usage may have increased meningococcal acquisition rates or susceptibility to meningococcal disease. Antibiotic prescribing rate should be further investigated in defined areas of high and low incidence of meningococcal disease.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 117 , Issue 1 , August 1996 , pp. 103 - 105
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

References

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