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Strains of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from patients and their close contacts
Abstract:
Neisseria meningitidis isolates from contacts, mostly family members, of 27 unrelated meningococcal disease patients were examined by serogrouping, serotyping, and a recently described sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis typing procedure. Most of the isolates were serogroup B or C. Serotyping and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis typing now provide a more precise means than serogrouping for determining the epidemiological relationships among patient isolates and those of related carriers. In 70% of the families studied, all contact carriers had strains indistinguishable from that of the patient. In the other 30%, more than one meningococcal strain was recovered from the family. Sixty percent of the carrier isolates were recovered from adults. It was found that, among household contacts, the mother was most likely and the father was least likely to carry the disease isolate. Nonhousehold contacts were least likely to carry the disease isolate.
Insights
This study examined Neisseria meningitidis strains from patients and their contacts. Advanced typing methods revealed close genetic links between patient and carrier isolates, aiding in understanding disease spread.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Molecular Typing
Background:
- Neisseria meningitidis is a significant cause of bacterial meningitis.
- Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for controlling meningococcal disease outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of advanced typing methods for characterizing Neisseria meningitidis isolates.
- To determine the epidemiological relationships between patient and contact isolates within families.
Main Methods:
- Serogrouping, serotyping, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) typing were employed.
- Isolates were obtained from patients with meningococcal disease and their household/non-household contacts.
Main Results:
- Most isolates belonged to serogroup B or C.
- SDS-PAGE and serotyping offered greater precision than serogrouping for epidemiological linkage.
- In 70% of families, contact carriers harbored indistinguishable strains from the patient.
- Multiple strains were identified in 30% of families; 60% of carrier isolates were from adults.
Conclusions:
- Advanced typing methods enhance the ability to trace Neisseria meningitidis transmission.
- Household contacts, particularly mothers, are significant carriers of disease-associated strains.
- Further research into carrier states and transmission is warranted.