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Published on: December 4, 2015
[First report of Neisseria polysaccharea in Cuba]
D Guzmán Hernández1, R Llanes Caballero, I Martínez Motas
1ciipk@infomed.sld.cu
Abstract:
The National Laboratory of Reference of Pathogenic Neisserias of "Pedro Kourí" Tropical Medicine Institute studied 58 strains which had been previously identified as Neisseria meningiditis and isolated from nasopharyngeal carriers from 1985-1998. They were applied the knapp detection scheme plus the glutamiltransferase production test. The latter and the polyscharide production based on 5% sacarose allowed to make a differential diagnosis between N. meningitidis and Neisseria polyccharea. It was possible to identify a N. polysaccharia strain, a species that is reported for the first time in Cuba.
Insights
Researchers identified Neisseria polysaccharia, a novel species, in Cuba using specific diagnostic tests. This finding expands the known diversity of Neisseria species in the region.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- The National Laboratory of Reference of Pathogenic Neisserias in Cuba investigated Neisseria strains.
- Previous identification classified 58 strains as Neisseria meningitidis from nasopharyngeal carriers (1985-1998).
Observation:
- The Knapp detection scheme and glutamyltransferase production test were employed.
- Polysaccharide production using 5% sucrose was also assessed.
Findings:
- A differential diagnosis between Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria polysaccharia was established.
- One strain of Neisseria polysaccharia was successfully identified.
Implications:
- This marks the first report of Neisseria polysaccharia in Cuba.
- The study enhances the understanding of Neisseria species prevalence in the Caribbean region.
