[Identification of serological groups A, B, C, W135, Y, X Neisseria meningitidis carriers by multiplex PCR in the nasopharynx of students in Kashan during 2011-2012]

ABSTRACT

Neisseria meningitidis [N. meningitidis] is a pathogen which colonizes in the nasopharynx without any clinical manifestations. Among the 13 different serological groups, only the serogroups A, B, C, W135, Y, X play a major role in disease development. This study aimed to determine N. meningitidis cases carrying these serological groups using the multiplex PCR method in the nasopharynx of students in Kashan schools. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1289 students in Kashan during 2011-2012. Samples were collected from the students' nasopharynx using a sterile swab and cultured on a selective medium. Strains were identified through biochemical tests. Then the serological groups were determined using the multiplex PCR method. One-hundred and fifteen [8.9%] out of 1289 students were N.meningitidis carriers; 75 [65.2%] male and 40 [34.8%] female. There was a significant difference between gender and the rate of carriers [P=0.032]. The highest rate of carriers [12.3%] was in the 15 to 19 year age group. There was a significant relationship between the rate of carriers and increase in the number of family members [P<0.001]. In this study, only the serological groups B [8 cases] and C [107 cases] were detected. Since the serological group C is involved in the outbreak and there is no vaccine currently available for the serological group B to prevent the infection, detection of these serological groups can be important