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Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis disease-causing strains in Argentina, 2010

Cecilia Sorhouet-Pereira1, Adriana Efron, Paula Gagetti

  • 1Clinical Bacteriology Service, Department of Bacteriology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases (ANLIS-INEI), 'Dr Carlos G. Malbrán', Ministry of Health, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Plos One
|March 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

In 2010, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 dominated meningococcal disease in Argentina, linked to an epidemic clone. Serogroup B was also prevalent, showing diversity, and antimicrobial resistance necessitates robust surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis causes meningococcal disease globally.
  • Surveillance and characterization are crucial for controlling outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize Neisseria meningitidis isolates from Argentinian meningococcal disease cases in 2010.
  • To assess antimicrobial resistance patterns and identify prevalent clones.

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of 133 isolates.
  • Serogroup, serotype, serosubtype, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) performed.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (MIC) for penicillin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, rifampin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin.

Main Results:

  • Serogroup W135 was the predominant cause (49%), associated with the W135:2a:P1.5,2:ST-11 clone.
  • Serogroup B accounted for 42.1% and showed diversity.
  • Intermediate resistance to penicillin (35.4%) and ampicillin (33.1%) was common.
  • Ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in two isolates with a gyrA mutation.

Conclusions:

  • Serogroup W135 was the leading cause of meningococcal disease in Argentina in 2010.
  • Genotypic and phenotypic diversity exists within serogroup B.
  • Antimicrobial resistance, including fluoroquinolone resistance, underscores the need for enhanced national surveillance programs.

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