Long-term predominance of a rare meningococcal phenotype in a small geographical area

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2003 Sep;22(9):566-8. doi: 10.1007/s10096-003-0982-7. Epub 2003 Aug 21.

Abstract

Reported here is a predominant clone of Neisseria meningitidis B:14:P1.13 that persisted over a 6-year period in the northernmost province of Italy, where it was responsible for a higher incidence of meningococcal disease compared to the rest of the country. Genetic relatedness of isolates was confirmed by multilocus sequence typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and PorA variable region typing. All strains examined belonged to the ST44 complex/lineage III. Risk factors for infection were evaluated through a case-control study conducted with 21 cases and 63 age- and sex-matched controls. Risk factors for infection in the seven patients younger than 13 years were (i) residence in a rural area, (ii) exposure to passive smoke, and (iii) living in a home with rooms rented to tourists (all odds ratios infinite). The only risk factor for the older patients was previous influenza-like illness (odds ratio, 41.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-1068.9). Guidelines for the early treatment of patients and public information campaigns were successfully implemented to reduce disease transmission and the case fatality rate in the region.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Meningococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology*
  • Meningococcal Infections / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neisseria meningitidis / genetics*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / isolation & purification*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Phenotype*
  • Probability
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sex Distribution
  • Time Factors