title: Genetic diversity of invasive strains of Haemophilus influenzae type b before and after introduction of the conjugate vaccine in Italy.
abstract: We determined the genotypes of 95 invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) strains collected before and after introduction of widespread Hib vaccination in Italy. No substantial change in genetic diversity was highlighted by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. However, an upward temporal trend in proportion of strains possessing multiple copies of the capsulation b locus was detected (P = .03).
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. mcerquet@iss.it
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerquetti
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cardines
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giufrè
authors.forename: Tonino
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sofia
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Ambrosio
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mastrantonio
authors.forename: Marta Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ciofi degli Atti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005838:Genotype; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D032541:Mass Vaccination; D008875:Middle Aged; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate
chemical_list: D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate