title: [Examination of the environment in meningococcal disease. Identification and clearing of the virulent microorganism from the environment of patients with meningococcal disease].
abstract: During the period from January 1987 to June 1988 DNA fingerprinting was used to identify carriers of the disease-causing strain of Neisseria meningitidis among the patients contacts. A total of 432 persons were screened during nine episodes. The overall carrier-rate was 16.2%, and the causative strain was found in 3.4% of the contacts. Eleven carriers were successfully treated with rifampicin, whereas two of three carriers treated with penicillin remained carriers. We conclude that DNA fingerprinting is a valuable tool for rapid identification of carriers of the causative organism in order to eradicate the epidemic strain of N. meningitidis.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Kristiansen
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tveten
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ask
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Knapskog
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reiten
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Steen-Johnsen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hopen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009664:Norway; D009710:Nucleotide Mapping; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
vernacular_title: Miljøundersøkelse ved meningokokksykdom. Oppsporing og sanering av den sykdomsfremkallende mikrobe i miljøet til pasienter med meningokokksykdom.