Capsule switching among C:2b:P1.2,5 meningococcal epidemic strains after mass immunization campaign, Spain

Emerg Infect Dis. 2002 Dec;8(12):1512-4. doi: 10.3201/eid0812.020081.

Abstract

A mass immunization campaign for 18-month to 19-year-olds was undertaken in Spain in 1996-1997 because of an epidemic of serogroup C meningococcal disease associated with a C:2b:P1.2,5 strain belonging to the A4 lineage. Surveillance for the "capsule-switching" phenomenon producing B:2b:P1.2,5 isolates was undertaken. Of 2,975 meningococci characterized, B:2b:P1.2,5 and B:2b:P1.2 antigenic combinations were found in 18 isolates; 15 meningococci were defined as serogroup B belonging to the A4 lineage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bacterial Capsules / classification*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Mass Vaccination / statistics & numerical data*
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology*
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / administration & dosage
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / classification*
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • meningococcal group C polysaccharide