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Disco fever: epidemic meningococcal disease in northeastern Argentina associated with disco patronage

S T Cookson1, J L Corrales, J O Lotero

  • 1Hospital Infections Program, Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. sgc0@cdc.gov

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|July 4, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Young adults attending discos and exposed to cigarette smoke faced higher risks of meningococcal disease. This outbreak highlights discos as potential Neisseria meningitidis transmission hubs.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a significant global cause of adult meningitis.
  • An outbreak of meningococcal disease occurred in Corrientes, Argentina, in August 1996.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify risk factors associated with meningococcal disease infection.
  • To characterize the Neisseria meningitidis isolates involved in the outbreak.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted to assess risk factors.
  • Isolates were serogrouped and analyzed using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Main Results:

  • Exposure to passive or active cigarette smoke and attending a specific disco were significant risk factors.
  • All six available isolates were serogroup C and exhibited identical MLEE and PFGE patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Discos may serve as focal points for Neisseria meningitidis transmission among young adults.
  • Environmental factors like cigarette smoke exposure may increase susceptibility or facilitate transmission.

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