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Genetic characteristics of serogroup A meningococci circulating in China, 1956-2005

X Zhang1, Z Shao, Y Zhu

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Genetic Engineering, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|April 1, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A caused most meningococcal disease in China. The ST-5 and ST-1 complexes were the main causes of infection over 50 years, with specific clones driving epidemics.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A was historically dominant in China, causing 95% of meningococcal disease cases.
  • Understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of serogroup A strains is crucial for disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the genetic diversity and long-term circulation of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A in China.
  • To identify the specific clones responsible for past epidemics and changes in dominant lineages over time.

Main Methods:

  • Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and PorA typing were used to analyze 275 serogroup A meningococcal isolates collected from 1956 to 2005.
  • Phylogenetic analysis was employed to identify sequence types (STs) and hyperinvasive lineages.

Main Results:

  • Forty-four STs were identified, with the ST-5 complex (52.8%) and ST-1 complex (44.2%) dominating isolates from infections.
  • Three prevalent clones (ST-5, P1.5-2,10; ST-3, P1.7-1,10; and ST-5, P1.20,9) were linked to four national epidemics.
  • A shift from ST-5 to ST-7 was observed in the late 1980s, with ST-7 isolates becoming predominant after 2000.

Conclusions:

  • Serogroup A meningococci belonging to the ST-5 and ST-1 complexes were the primary drivers of meningococcal disease in China over the past 50 years.
  • Specific clones within these complexes were responsible for major epidemics, highlighting the importance of molecular surveillance.

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