Emerging treatments

Conjugate vaccines targeting Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X

N meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis globally, with six serogroups (A, B, C, W, X, and Y) responsible for over 95% of invasive meningococcal disease cases worldwide.[65] In the African meningitis belt, following the success of vaccination programs with serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine, N meningitidis serogroups C, W, and X, and Streptococcus pneumoniae have been identified as the main causative agents of more recent epidemics.[82] The Men5CV (NmCV-5) vaccine is a pentavalent vaccine targeted at meningococcal serotypes A, C, W, Y, and X. This vaccine is directed toward global control of meningococcal disease in the African meningitis belt and beyond, with demonstrated safety and effectiveness against a wider variety of serogroups including serogroup X.[83] The vaccine has demonstrated comparable immune response in phase 1 and 2 trials.[83][84] It has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for incorporation into routine immunization programs in countries in the African meningitis belt, and Nigeria was the first country in the world to introduce the vaccine.[65][85] WHO: defeating meningitis by 2030 - a global road map Opens in new window While the vaccine is available in Africa, it is not currently available in other countries as yet. 

Invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring

One systematic review looked at the role of invasive ICP monitoring and ICP-based management in the treatment of acute bacterial meningitis. Overall, the studies demonstrated enhanced patient outcomes in acute bacterial meningitis with the use of treatment strategies aiming to normalize ICP using continuous invasive monitoring and cerebrospinal fluid diversion techniques.[86]

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