title: [Characterization of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from carriers in Cuba during 20 years].
abstract: The epidemiological markers of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from carriers in Cuba for 20 years (1982-2002) were investigated. There were identified the serogroups, serotypes, subtypes and immunotypes of 331 strains corresponding to 2 different stages: epidemic (1982-1992) and postepidemic (1993-2002). A predominance of serogroup B (67.62%) and of non-groupable strains (32.28%) was observed in the epidemic stage, whereas the non-groupable strains (79.65%) and the serogroup B (17.26%) (p < 0.05) prevailed in the postepidemic stage. This study is the first and the only one up to now that investigates Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from carriers before and after a national mass campaign of immunization with VA-MENGOC-BC (Cuban antimenigococcal vaccine against the serogroups B and C). The results obtained offered valuable data to the study, prevention and successful control of the meningococcal disease in Cuba, as well as to the development and evaluation of this vaccine.
authors: Instituto Finlay. isabelm.motas@infomed.sld.cu
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Martínez Motas
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Sierra González
authors: Niury
authors: N
authors: Núñez Gutiérrez
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Izquierdo Pérez
authors: Yanet
authors: Y
authors: Climent Ruíz
authors: Mayelin
authors: M
authors: Mirabal Sosa
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology*; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D038541:Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012703:Serotyping; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines