Abstract
To describe Neisseria meningitidis strains in the African meningitis belt in 2003, we obtained 2,389 oropharyngeal swabs at 5 monthly visits a representative population sample (age range 4-29 years) in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. A total of 152 carriage isolates were grouped, serotyped, and genotyped. Most isolates were NG:NT:NST sequence type (ST) 192 (63% of all N. meningitidis), followed by W135:2a:P1.5,2 of ST-11 (16%) and NG:15:P1.6 of ST-198 (12%). We also found ST-2881 (W135:NT:P1.5,2), ST-751 (X:NT:P1.5), and ST-4375 (Y:14:P1.5,2) but not serogroups A or C. Estimated average duration of carriage was 30 days (95% confidence interval 24-36 days). In the context of endemic group W135 and meningococcal A disease, we found substantial diversity in strains carried, including all strains currently involved in meningitis in this population, except for serogroup A. These findings show the need for large samples and a longitudinal design for N. meningitidis serogroup A carriage studies.
Highlights
To describe Neisseria meningitidis strains in the African meningitis belt in 2003, we obtained 2,389 oropharyngeal swabs at 5 monthly visits a representative population sample in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
During a large epidemic in Burkina Faso in 2002, phenotype W135:2a:P1.5,2 was the predominant strain; this strain belonged to the sequence type (ST)-11 clonal complex [4], as did NmW135 strains found in an outbreak among Hajj pilgrims in 2000
Our longitudinal study describes meningococcal phenotypes and genotypes circulating in an urban Burkina Faso population 1 year after an N. meningitidis W135 epidemic, their dynamics during a nonepidemic meningitis season, and the carriage prevalence of disease-causing strains in the healthy population
Summary
To describe Neisseria meningitidis strains in the African meningitis belt in 2003, we obtained 2,389 oropharyngeal swabs at 5 monthly visits a representative population sample (age range 4–29 years) in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. In the context of endemic group W135 and meningococcal A disease, we found substantial diversity in strains carried, including all strains currently involved in meningitis in this population, except for serogroup A. These findings show the need for large samples and a longitudinal design for N. meningitidis serogroup A carriage studies. Our longitudinal study describes meningococcal phenotypes and genotypes circulating in an urban Burkina Faso population 1 year after an N. meningitidis W135 epidemic, their dynamics during a nonepidemic meningitis season, and the carriage prevalence of disease-causing strains in the healthy population
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
