Viral Meningitis: Epidemiology and Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics

Abstract

Viral meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, caused by various viral agents. It is the most common and least severe form of infectious meningitis. Despite generally having a benign course, it poses a challenge to public health, especially in contexts of sanitary vulnerability. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of viral meningitis in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia (Brazil), from 2016 to 2023. It is a cross-sectional, population-based study using secondary data extracted from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), provided by the Municipal Health Department. All cases confirmed according to the clinical-laboratory criteria established by the Ministry of Health were included. Data analysis was performed using Jamovi software (v2.4) and Microsoft Excel Starter 2016, employing descriptive statistics to calculate frequency, mean, standard deviations, incidence, mortality, and case fatality rates. A total of 181 cases were confirmed, accounting for 36% of all meningitis cases, with an average incidence of 5.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. The highest records occurred in 2016 and 2017. Most cases were in males (63.5%), individuals identified as mixed race (82.0%), and urban residents (74.4%). The most affected age group was 0 to 4 years, with an incidence of 230.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. The most frequent symptoms were fever, headache, and vomiting. Most patients progressed to hospital discharge (81.3%), and the observed case fatality rate was 5.6%. Diagnosis was primarily confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid cytochemical examination (97.2%). In conclusion, although viral meningitis is generally self-limiting, it more intensely affects young children and the elderly, underscoring the need for epidemiological surveillance and targeted intervention strategies for the most vulnerable groups.