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Genetic relationships among strains of Neisseria meningitidis causing disease in Italy, 1984–7

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

P. Mastrantonio ,
M. E. Congiu ,
R. K. Selander  and
D. A. Caugant
P. Mastrantonio*
Affiliation:
Bacteriology and Medical Mycology Laboratory, National Institute of HealthRome
M. E. Congiu
Affiliation:
Bacteriology and Medical Mycology Laboratory, National Institute of HealthRome
R. K. Selander
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
D. A. Caugant
Affiliation:
Department of Methodology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo
*
* Correspondence and requests for reprints to: Paola Mastrantonio, BMM Laboratory, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Summary

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Since 1984 a change in the epidemiological pattern of meningococcal disease in Italy has occurred with a predominance of Neisseria meningitidis of serogroup C (76%), serotype 2a and a high proportion of strains resistant to sulphonamides (71%). In order to understand better the epidemiology of the group C N. meningitidis strains responsible for the disease over the last years in Italy, we studied the genetic features of phenotypically closely related strains, by enzyme electrophoresis. The results showed that the genetic and the phenotypic characteristics of the 57 strains studied were similar, suggesting the spread of a single clone during recent years in our country.

This result is in agreement with the circulation of strains typical of epidemic situations, despite the decreasing incidence of meningoccal disease in Italy.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 106 , Issue 1 , February 1991 , pp. 143 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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