Marijuana use and social networks in a community outbreak of meningococcal disease.
BACKGROUND
We examined the role of social networks and marijuana smoking in a community outbreak of infections due to Neisseria meningitidis.


METHODS
We interviewed all patients and their contacts. Isolates were tested by pulsed field electrophoresis and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis.


RESULTS
Nine cases of meningococcal disease occurred in the outbreak; isolates from seven cases with positive cultures were identical. Multiple overlapping social networks were found for case-patients and their contacts. All case-patients were linked by the marijuana-related activities of their contacts.


CONCLUSIONS
Investigation of social networks and marijuana exposure might help identify close contacts of patients with meningococcal disease and help prevent secondary infections.
Krause
G
G
Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Blackmore
C
C
Wiersma
S
S
Lesneski
C
C
Woods
C W
CW
Rosenstein
N E
NE
Hopkins
R S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016358:Contact Tracing; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification