ABSTRACT
N. meningitidis, Str. Pneumoniae and H. influenzae are responsible for over 90% of cases of acute bacterial meningitis. Meningococci are the commonest cause of septic meningitis in Egypt, and in many parts of the world, meningococcal disease is considered a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Asymptomatic nasopharyngeal colonization in humans provides the only known natural reservoir of meningococci. Three hundred and twenty three nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from medical and paramedical staff in Tanta University Hospital and Tanta Fever Hospital, and 144 swabs were collected from Tanta University students as a control non-exposed group. Cultures and serogrouping were performed, sensitivity to antibiotics was estimated. The percentage of positive meningococcal carriers of the exposed medical and paramedical personnel was 22.6%,while in non-exposed group was 11.1%. There was no relation between history of vaccine intake and carrier rate. Workers and nurses had the highest carrier rates among the medical and paramedical personnel [27.1% and 25.8% respectively]. Serogroup A was the most prevalent [48.3%],followed by serogroup C [43.8%] and finally serogroup B [7.9%]. The isolates were sensitive more to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and spiramycin