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[Meningococcal disease: always present. Serogroup changes in the Southern Cone]

Eduardo Luis López1, Roberto Debbag

  • 1Sociedad Argentina de Infectología Pediátrica, Buenos Aires, Argentina. eduardoluislopez@fibertel.com.ar

Revista Chilena De Infectologia : Organo Oficial De La Sociedad Chilena De Infectologia
|February 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Meningococcal disease (MD) outbreaks, particularly from the hypervirulent ST-11 clone of serogroup W135 Neisseria meningitidis, have emerged globally. Enhanced surveillance and vaccination are key to controlling this serious childhood illness.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Meningococcal disease (MD), caused by Neisseria meningitidis, presents high childhood mortality rates.
  • Serogroup W135 N. meningitidis (MenW135) typically accounts for 1-8% of global MD cases with low carriage rates.
  • An increase in MenW135 cases, linked to the Hajj pilgrimage (Hajj-2000 strain), was reported in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the epidemiology of hypervirulent MenW135 strains.
  • To investigate the emergence and spread of the ST-11/complex ET-37 clone.
  • To inform strategies for controlling meningococcal disease outbreaks.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular typing of MenW135 strains from outbreaks.
  • Tracking the global circulation of specific N. meningitidis clones.
  • Reviewing serogroup prevalence changes in affected regions.

Main Results:

  • MenW135 strains from the Hajj-2000 outbreak were identified as a single hypervirulent clone (ST-11/complex ET-37).
  • This hypervirulent clone was also detected circulating in Latin America.
  • Significant increases in MenW135 prevalence, particularly in the Southern Cone, have been observed.

Conclusions:

  • The ST-11/complex ET-37 clone represents a significant threat for hyperendemic or epidemic MD periods.
  • Chemoprophylaxis and quadrivalent vaccines are crucial for preventing N. meningitidis infections.
  • Improved global epidemiological knowledge via molecular techniques and vaccine availability are vital for MD control.

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