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Clonal spread of serogroup W135 meningococcal disease in Turkey

Abdullah Kilic1, Rachel Urwin, Haijing Li

  • 1Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|January 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 strains, including the Hajj epidemic type, are now endemic in Turkey. Genetic analysis revealed distinct strains, indicating ongoing circulation beyond direct Hajj transmission.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 caused a global outbreak linked to Hajj pilgrims in 2000.
  • Surveillance for this pathogen is crucial, especially in regions with potential for endemicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic diversity and origin of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 isolates in Turkey.
  • To determine if the Hajj epidemic strain is circulating in Turkey.

Main Methods:

  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for strain typing.
  • Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and antigen gene sequencing for genetic characterization.

Main Results:

  • Six cases of serogroup W135 meningococcal infection were identified in Turkey between 2003 and an unspecified date.
  • Five isolates matched the ST-11 (ET-37) Hajj epidemic strain; two isolates showed different genetic profiles.
  • No direct link to Hajj travel was found for the infected individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Serogroup W135 meningococci, including the Hajj epidemic strain, are endemic in Turkey.
  • The presence of multiple genotypes suggests established local transmission.
  • Further surveillance is needed to monitor the epidemiology of this pathogen in Turkey.

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