OBJECTIVES: To describe the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) W135 in Côte d'Ivoire and its characteristics compared to NmA. METHODS: Data on Nm samples isolated at the National Reference Center for meningitis in Côte d'Ivoire between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed. Socio-demographic data and biological information on the samples were extracted from the database. Categorical variables, such as sex and the serotype of the bacteria, were compared using the Fisher exact test, while the distribution of continuous variables, such as age, was compared using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Among the 175 Nm samples, 57 were NmA, 4 were NmB, 13 were NmC, and 99 were NmW135. The geographical distribution of NmA and NmW135 did not show a significant difference according to age or sex. NmW135 was more common than NmA in the northern health districts of Cote d'Ivoire (85.9 vs. 45.5%; p < 0.001). No sample of NmA has been isolated since 2009, while 95% of the type W135 samples were isolated between 2010 and 2012. CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the emergence of NmW135 in Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the simultaneous disappearance of NmA. It is important to improve laboratory-based surveillance of meningitis to assess trends in the circulation of bacteria and to detect the emergence of new serogroups earlier.
Bacteria ; Cote d'Ivoire* ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Neisseria meningitidis* ; Neisseria* ; Public Health Surveillance ; Serogroup

OBJECTIVES: To describe the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) W135 in Côte d'Ivoire and its characteristics compared to NmA.METHODS: Data on Nm samples isolated at the National Reference Center for meningitis in Côte d'Ivoire between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed. Socio-demographic data and biological information on the samples were extracted from the database. Categorical variables, such as sex and the serotype of the bacteria, were compared using the Fisher exact test, while the distribution of continuous variables, such as age, was compared using the Wilcoxon test.RESULTS: Among the 175 Nm samples, 57 were NmA, 4 were NmB, 13 were NmC, and 99 were NmW135. The geographical distribution of NmA and NmW135 did not show a significant difference according to age or sex. NmW135 was more common than NmA in the northern health districts of Cote d'Ivoire (85.9 vs. 45.5%; p < 0.001). No sample of NmA has been isolated since 2009, while 95% of the type W135 samples were isolated between 2010 and 2012.CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the emergence of NmW135 in Côte d'Ivoire, as well as the simultaneous disappearance of NmA. It is important to improve laboratory-based surveillance of meningitis to assess trends in the circulation of bacteria and to detect the emergence of new serogroups earlier.
Bacteria ; Cote d'Ivoire ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Neisseria meningitidis ; Neisseria ; Public Health Surveillance ; Serogroup

BACKGROUND: This descriptive epidemiological study aimed to assess the prevalence of serum bactericidal antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W and Y in adolescents and adults in the Republic of Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 987 subjects aged 11-55 years from five geographical regions of Korea were included in the study. Human serum bactericidal assay (hSBA) was used to measure hSBA titres for serogroups A, C, W and Y. Percentages of subjects with hSBA titres ≥4 and ≥8, geometric mean titres (GMTs), and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were estimated. Analysis was performed for the entire study population and stratified by age group or region. No statistical hypotheses were tested. RESULTS: The highest percentage of subjects with hSBA titres ≥8 was observed for serogroup W (74%), was similar for serogroups C (34%) and Y (36%), and was lowest for serogroup A (9%). The percentages of subjects with hSBA titres ≥4 were similar to those with hSBA titres ≥8 for all serogroups. GMTs were 2.56 µg/mL (serogroup A), 5.14 µg/mL (serogroup C), 22.63 µg/mL (serogroup W) and 5.28 µg/mL (serogroup Y). Similar trends in GMTs across serogroups were seen for individual regions and age groups. The highest GMTs for serogroups A, W and Y were recorded in the >19-29 years group, and for serogroup C in the >49-55 years group. Across all regions, GMTs were very similar for serogroups A, C and Y, while more variation was seen for serogroup W. CONCLUSION: In the Korean population, among Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W and Y, serum bactericidal antibodies were most prevalent against serogroup W and least prevalent against serogroup A. These trends were maintained across age groups and regions. The highest GMTs for serogroups A, W and Y were observed in the >19-29 years group. The reasons behind the observed differences in prevalence of bactericidal antibodies against the serogroups are currently not understood, although carriage and cross-reactivity of the assay may be important influences.
Adolescent* ; Adult* ; Antibodies* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Neisseria meningitidis* ; Neisseria* ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea*

Sepsis and meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis are rare in neonates, but neonatal sepsis and meningitis are associated with a high rate of mortality. Meningococcal disease is commonly reported in older children and adolescents and is known to be more prevalent in community settings. In this study, a 16-day-old neonate was diagnosed with serogroup B meningococcal sepsis and meningitis. The baby was treated with antibiotics at the early stages of the infection and was discharged in good condition without any complications. This case report can serve to raise awareness of the incidence and importance of meningococcal infection in neonates, especially serogroup B.
Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Meningitis ; Meningococcal Infections ; Mortality ; Neisseria meningitidis ; Neisseria ; Sepsis ; Serogroup

Hypocomplementemia is found in all types of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) but not in all patients. Hypocomplementemia can be ascribed to at least two circulating complement reactive modalities. The activation of the classical pathway produced by circulating immune complexes and the presence in the blood of anticomplement autoantibodies, called "nephritic factor"(NF). The activation of the classical pathway by circulating immune complexes is probably the major mechanism responsible for hypocomplementemia in idiopathic MPGN type I. Nephritic factors have been shown to be responsible for the hypocomplementemia in both MPGN type II and III. NFa is probably the major mechanism responsible for the hypocomplementemia of idiopathic MPGN type II. NFt appears to be solely responsible for the hypocomplementemia in MPGN type III. Judging from the complement profile, NFt also may be present in some patients with MPGN type I. Although infection by meningococcus has been associated with deficiency of any of the plasmatic proteins of complement, it more commonly involves deficiency of the terminal components of the complement pathway(C5-C9). We experienced a patient who had MPGN and meningococcal meningitis. We examined the complement level and significantly lower levels of C3, C5 were found persistently. C7 was low at first and it returned to normal range after 2 months. C9 was normal at first, and was low after 2 months. This is the first reported case in which MPGN with meningococcal meningitis occurred.
Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Autoantibodies ; Complement System Proteins* ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranoproliferative* ; Humans ; Meningitis, Meningococcal* ; Neisseria meningitidis ; Reference Values

Meningococcal disease is not rarely associated with abnormalities of the complement system. We experienced a case of C9 deficiency with meningococcal meningitis from a 12-year-old girl. Identification of complement deficiency has implications for management, including family studies, prophylaxis, vaccination, and altered threshold for infection screening and treatment.
Child ; Complement C9* ; Complement System Proteins* ; Female ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Meningococcal* ; Neisseria meningitidis ; Vaccination

Adult ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification

The complement system is composed of more than 25 different proteins and is usually divided into classical and alternative pathways. Complement component 7(C7) is one of the five terminal complement proteins that, upon activation of either the classical or the alternative pathway, interacts sequentially to form a large protein-protein complex, called membrane attack complex(MAC). Assembly of the MAC on target cells results in the formation of transmembrane pores that can lead to the killing of the cells. C7 deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder that is mostly reported in Caucasians. The gene for C7 has been assigned to chromosome 5p13. To date, 15 different molecular defects leading to total or subtotal C7 deficient defects have been reported. C7 deficiency is associated frequently with recurrently bacterial infections, especially meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis. We report a case of a hereditary C7 deficiency associated with meningococcal meningitis.
Bacterial Infections ; Complement C7 ; Complement System Proteins ; Homicide ; Membranes ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Meningococcal* ; Neisseria meningitidis

DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Typing ; Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B ; classification ; genetics

Introduction: Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis that can present as fever or respiratory infection developing into a fulminant course. In February 2005, WHO experts confirmed that the Cordillera Administrative Region of the Philippines experienced an outbreak of Serogroup A Meningococcal Disease where there was an unusually large proportion of meningococcemia cases. Objectives: This study aims to describe the clinical profile of pediatric patients discharged from a tertiary hospital with a diagnosis of meningococcal disease and to identify the etiologic agent. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive study involving chart review of patients 0-18 years of age discharged from October 2004 to October 2006 with a diagnosis of either meningococcemia, meningococcal meningitis or both. Results: There were 217 discharges with this diagnosis. Of these, 100 (46.08%) belonged to the 0-18 years of age, 47% of who were male, 64% were Baguio residents, 28% were 0-1 year old, 19% were between 2-5 years old and 26% were 15-18 years old. 100% had a history of fever and 90% had rashes. 51% had a discharge diagnosis of Meningococcemia. 32% died due to septic shock, DIC. The etiologic agent was identified as Neisseria meningitidis. Conclusion: Of the study population, 53% were female. Children 0-5 years of age were most affected (47%). 100% had a history of fever. 32% died of septic shock. 62% were confirmed by laboratory. The culprit of this epidemic was a hypervirulent strain of Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup A Subtype A 1.9 sensitive to Penicillin.
Human ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child Preschool ; Infant ; Infant Newborn ; MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTIONS ; NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS ; MENINGITIS, MENINGOCOCCAL