Abstract
BackgroundCommunity nasal meningococcal carriage rates are high across Africa. Meningococcal infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the continent; especially among children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage and antibiotic susceptibilities of meningococcal isolates from healthy Ethiopian children and adolescents.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the sub-cities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nasal swabs were collected and processed for identification, serogrouping and testing susceptibilities for three antibiotics using standard microbiological techniques. Data on epidemiologic risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire and the magnitude of their association with carriage was assessed using bivariate and multivariate analysis.ResultA total of 240 samples were collected (115 from males and 125 from females). The mean age of study participants was 11.1 years. The prevalence of nasal carriage for Neisseria meningitidis was 20.4% (49/240). Carriage was significantly higher among children living under crowded conditions (OR 1.268; 95% CI: 1.186–1.355; p = 0.006). The predominant serogroups were W135–20/49 isolates (40.8%) and C—12/49 isolates (24.5%) and 83.7% of meningococci were sensitive for Ciprofloxacin. In contrast, isolates showed high resistance to Ceftriaxone (69.4%) while only 4.2% were sensitive for Penicillin. Multi-drug resistance was documented for 14.3% of the isolates.ConclusionsMeningococcal carriage rate was found to be high with higher rates associated with children and adolescents living in crowded living conditions. Predominant isolates were of serogroup W135 and C and the isolates showed marked susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin and resistance to Ceftriaxone and Penicillin.
Highlights
Meningococcal carriage rate was found to be high with higher rates associated with children and adolescents living in crowded living conditions
Predominant isolates were of serogroup W135 and C and the isolates showed marked susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin and resistance to Ceftriaxone and Penicillin
Neisseria meningitidis is a potentially pathogenic bacteria residing in the nasal cavity
Summary
Neisseria meningitidis is a potentially pathogenic bacteria residing in the nasal cavity. Though carriers are usually asymptomatic, invasive disease can result following its introduction into the blood. Community nasal carriage rates are widely different across the world, ranging from 3%–25%. Meningococcal diseases are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents. Meningitis and septicemia are the commonest causes of infections [1]. Thirteen meningococcal serogroups are identified with five (A, B, C, W135 and Y) responsible for almost all invasive illnesses [2]. Community nasal meningococcal carriage rates are high across Africa. Meningococcal infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the continent; especially among children and adolescents. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage and antibiotic susceptibilities of meningococcal isolates from healthy Ethiopian children and adolescents.
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