Global burden of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis in children, 1990-2021: an analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Abstract

Background: Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) meningitis is a life-threatening infection in young children, characterized by rapid progression, severe complications, and high mortality. However, large-scale epidemiological research on its global burden remains limited. This study aims to systematically assess the global burden of L. monocytogenes meningitis in children aged 0-14 years from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: We utilized data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease study to extract mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to L. monocytogenes meningitis across 204 countries and regions from 1990 to 2021. The dataset was stratified by age, sex, year, and sociodemographic index (SDI), facilitating a comprehensive subgroup analysis. Percentage change and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were employed to evaluate long-term trends in disease burden. Furthermore, frontier analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between socio-economic development and disease control.

Results: In 2021, the global burden of L. monocytogenes meningitis in children under 14 years old included 5,387 deaths and 474,378 DALYs. From 1990 to 2021, the global burden of L. monocytogenes meningitis in children declined significantly. The overall number of deaths and DALYs decreased by 56.8% [95% uncertainty interval (UI): -67.5% to -42.0%] and 56.9% (95% UI: -67.5% to -42.2%), with lower rates in females than males. Age-stratified analysis revealed that L. monocytogenes meningitis mortality peaked among infants (<1 year) than other age groups. At the regional level, Western Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest rates of mortality and DALYs. Significant inverse correlations were identified between the burden of L. monocytogenes meningitis and SDI. Frontier analysis further validated that higher SDI enhanced capacity for burden reduction.

Conclusions: Despite declining global trends, L. monocytogenes meningitis persists as a public health threat, particularly affecting young children and populations in low-SDI regions. Targeted interventions, including food safety improvements, diagnostic advancements, accessible treatments and financial assistance, are urgently needed in resource-limited regions.