Serogroup B, electrophoretic type 15 Neisseria meningitidis in Canada.
Invasive meningococcal disease is nationally reportable in Canada. In recent years, a serogroup C genotype, designated electrophoretic type 15 (ET15), has been the most frequently isolated meningococcal genotype in Canada and has caused epidemics across the country. Between August 1993 and September 1995, there were 9 cases of invasive meningococcal disease caused by a variant of this genotype, expressing group B capsular polysaccharide. The appearance of serogroup B:ET15 was related temporally and geographically to mass immunization campaigns designed to control serogroup C meningococcal disease in Canada. Since there is no vaccine available to control serogroup B meningococcal disease, the appearance of this variant may have public-health significance if it demonstrates the same epidemic potential as its serogroup C counterpart.
Kertesz
D A
DA
Bureau of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, Health Canada, Ottawa.
Coulthart
M B
MB
Ryan
J A
JA
Johnson
W M
WM
Ashton
F E
FE
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004586:Electrophoresis; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification*; D012703:Serotyping