Aseptic meningitis: Frequency among Israeli ethnic groups

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The relative frequency of aseptic meningoencephalitis (AME) was compared in populations of diverse origin. A countrywide search in Israel during 1969–1970 disclosed 1350 cases who fit strict diagnostic criteria. The average annual incidence was 21.6 per 100000 population. The total incidence was similar in Afro-Asian, Euro-American and Israeli Jewish groups but among Israeli Arabs, the incidence was apparently lower. Age-specific incidence showed a peak in infants under one year of age among Arabs and Afro-Asian Jews whereas Euro-Americans and Israeli Jews had a peak incidence at 5–9 years. Larger family size among Arabs and Afro-Asian Jews might account for the higher incidence in infants. Age-specific, incidence may be a better index than total incidence of important differences in AME among various ethnic groups. Während der Jahre 1969–1970 wurden in Israel 1350 Fälle, welche als aseptische Meningoencephalitis angesprochen werden können, festgestellt. Die relative Häufigkeit in verschiedenen Bevölkerungsgruppen wurde analysiert. Die durchschnittliche jährliche Inzidenz betrug 21,6 pro 100000 Einwohner. Die Gesamtinzidenz war ähnlich in der afroasiatischen, euroamerikanischen und israelischjüdischen Bevölkerungsgruppe. Unter den israelischen Arabern war die Inzidenz anscheinend niedriger. Die altersbezogene Inzidenz zeigte ein maximum bei Kleinkindern unter einem Jahr bei Arabern und afroasiatischen Juden, bei den Euroamerikanern und jüdisch Israeli hingegen einen Gipfel in der Altersgruppe zwischen 5 und 9 Jahren. Die größere Zahl von Individuen im Familienkollektiv unter den Arabern und den afroasiatischen Juden mag für die größere Inzidenz bei Kleinkindern verantwortlich sein. Die altersspezifische Inzidenz dürfte somit geeigneter als die attack rate was highest in those under one year of age and declined progressively with age. The overall incidence was 8.1 per 105 population, which is very close to the incidence observed among Arabs in Israel. The peak incidence was in June, the same as in Israel. A male preponderance of 1.4:1 was reported. The overall mortality was 28.7 percent but was higher in the youngest and oldest age groups (50.0 percent both in those under one and over 45 years of age). In Israel, too, the highest mortality occurred in the first year and after age 40 years. In Egypt, the rate of meningitis was highest in the quarters of the city which were most crowded and where the poorest people lived.