The Diversity of Meningococcal Carriage Across the African Meningitis Belt and the Impact of Vaccination With a Group A Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Study of meningococcal carriage is essential to understanding the epidemiology of Neisseria meningitidis infection.

Methods

Twenty cross-sectional carriage surveys were conducted in 7 countries in the African meningitis belt; 5 surveys were conducted after introduction of a new serogroup A meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac). Pharyngeal swab specimens were collected, and Neisseria species were identified by microbiological and molecular techniques.

Results

A total of 1687 of 48 490 participants (3.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2%-3.6%) carried meningococci. Carriage was more frequent in individuals aged 5-14 years, relative to those aged 15-29 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.41; 95% CI, 1.25-1.60); in males, relative to females (adjusted O

SUBMITTER: MenAfriCar consortium 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4577048 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature