Hospitalizations for meningococcal infection in the southern region of Brazil: epidemiologic characterizations and prevalent serotypes

Meningococcal disease occurs due to infection by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which is classified according to serogroups. Objective: To survey the profile of hospitalizations and prevalent serogroups of meningococcal infection in the southern region of Brazil. Design and Setting: Is an observational, cross-sectional study using public use data. Methods: The data were taken from the DATASUS, in the year 2020, in states of Paraná (PR), Santa Catarina (SC), and Rio Grande do Sul (RS). Results: In 2020 there were 139 hospitalizations, 76 in RS, 38 in PR and 25 in SC. In RS the most affected age group was 70- 79 years, in PR 60-69 and in SC 30-39. In all states, the male sex had the highest number of hospitalizations. The prevalence of serogroups in RS were B and Y, in PR B and C 1 and in SC, B. The category of ‘’Ignored/Blank’’ stands out in all regions. Conclusion: The highest number of hospitalizations was in RS and in male patients over 30 years old. The large number of serotypes filled in as ignored/blank denotes inadequate data updating, reinforcing the need for regular training for health professionals, so that the filled out data will allow a better configuration of the disease and implementation of public health measures.