title: Absence of Neisseria meningitidis W-135 electrophoretic Type 37 during the Hajj, 2002.
abstract: We document the absence of carriage of Neisseria meningitidis W-135 of the sequence type 11 in returning pilgrims after the Hajj 2002. This finding contrasts with the 15% carriage rate we previously reported in pilgrims returning from the Hajj 2001. The epidemiology of carriage may be changing or may have been controlled by vaccination and a policy of administering antibiotics to pilgrims from countries with a high incidence of meningococcal disease.
authors.affiliation: Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Tan Tock Seng, Singapore. epvws@pacific.net.sg
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilder-Smith
authors.forename: Timothy M S
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Barkham
authors.forename: Suok Kai
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Nicholas I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Paton
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification; D038582:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup W-135 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012703:Serotyping; D014195:Travel