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A Case-Control Study on the Risk Factors for Meningococcal Disease among Children in Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Christos Hadjichristodoulou
  • George Mpalaouras
  • Vasiliki Vasilopoulou
  • Antonios Katsioulis
  • George Rachiotis
  • Kalliopi Theodoridou
  • Georgia Tzanakaki
  • Vassiliki Syriopoulou
  • Maria Theodoridou

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify environmental or genetic risk factors that are associated with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in children in Greece. Methods: A case-control study was performed in 133 children (44 cases and 89 controls) aged between 0–14 years, who were hospitalized in a children's hospital in Athens. Demographics and possible risk factors were collected by the use of a structured questionnaire. To investigate the association of mannose binding lectin (MBL) with IMD, a frequency analysis of the haplotypes of the MBL2 gene and quantitative measurement of MBL serum protein levels were performed using Nanogen NanoChipR 400 technology and immuno-enzyme techniques, respectively. Results: The multivariate analysis revealed that changes in a child's life setting (relocation or vacation, OR = 7.16), paternal smoking (OR = 4.51), upper respiratory tract infection within the previous month (OR = 3.04) and the density of people in the house/100m2 (OR = 3.16), were independent risk factors associated with IMD. Overall 18.8% of patients had a MBL2 genotype with low functionality compared to 10.1% of healthy controls, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.189). Conclusion: Prevention strategies aimed at reducing parental smoking and other risk factors identified in this study could decrease the risk of IMD among children in Greece.

Suggested Citation

  • Christos Hadjichristodoulou & George Mpalaouras & Vasiliki Vasilopoulou & Antonios Katsioulis & George Rachiotis & Kalliopi Theodoridou & Georgia Tzanakaki & Vassiliki Syriopoulou & Maria Theodoridou, 2016. "A Case-Control Study on the Risk Factors for Meningococcal Disease among Children in Greece," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-10, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0158524
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158524
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