Invasive culture-confirmed Neisseria meningitidis in Portugal: evaluation of serogroups in relation to different variables and antimicrobial susceptibility (2000-2001).
The first investigation of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from a large area covering an appreciable population in Portugal, before the voluntary vaccination period with the serogroup C conjugate vaccine, is reported. The serogroups and antimicrobial susceptibility of 116 isolates were studied. Serogroups C (50.0 %), B (47.4 %) and W135 (2.6 %) were found. Serogroup C was most common in the 1-15-years-old group and B in the less than 1-year-old and over 16-years-old groups (P = 0.042). Clinical diagnosis of meningococcal disease was primarily meningitis for patients with serogroup C and meningitis associated with sepsis for those with serogroup B. Penicillin resistance was significantly associated with serogroup C (P < 0.001). This work reinforces the importance for public health of monitoring the serogroup and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates from patients with invasive meningococcal disease.
Antibiotic Resistance Unit, Centre of Bacteriology1 and National Observatory for Health2, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal 3Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal.
Manuela
M
Caniça
Antibiotic Resistance Unit, Centre of Bacteriology1 and National Observatory for Health2, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal 3Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal.
Ricardo
R
Dias
Antibiotic Resistance Unit, Centre of Bacteriology1 and National Observatory for Health2, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal 3Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal.
Baltazar
B
Nunes
Antibiotic Resistance Unit, Centre of Bacteriology1 and National Observatory for Health2, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal 3Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal.
Leonor
L
Carvalho
Antibiotic Resistance Unit, Centre of Bacteriology1 and National Observatory for Health2, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal 3Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal.
Eugénia
E
Ferreira
Antibiotic Resistance Unit, Centre of Bacteriology1 and National Observatory for Health2, National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal 3Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital de Dona Estefânia, Lisboa, Portugal.
The Meningococci Study Group
D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D038542:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D038582:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup W-135 / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012703:Serotyping
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D010406:Penicillins