Meningococci of Serogroup X Clonal Complex 181 in Refugee Camps, Italy

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 May;23(5):870-872. doi: 10.3201/eid2305.161713.

Abstract

Four cases of infection with serogroup X meningococci (MenX) (1 in 2015 and 3 in 2016) occurred in migrants living in refugee camps or reception centers in Italy. All MenX isolates were identified as clonal complex 181. Our report suggests that serogroup X represents an emerging health threat for persons arriving from African countries.

Keywords: bacteria; invasive meningococcal diseases; meningitis/encephalitis; migrants; serogroup X.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / diagnosis
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / drug therapy
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology*
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / microbiology*
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Neisseria meningitidis / classification*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Refugees*
  • Sentinel Surveillance*
  • Serogroup*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents