Large Cluster of Neisseria meningitidis Urethritis in Columbus, Ohio, 2015.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a Gram-negative diplococcus that normally colonizes the nasopharynx and rarely infects the urogenital tract. On Gram stain of urethral exudates, Nm can be misidentified as the more common sexually transmitted pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Methods

In response to a large increase in cases of Nm urethritis identified among men presenting for screening at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Columbus, Ohio, we investigated the epidemiologic characteristics of men with Nm urethritis and the molecular and phylogenetic characteristics of their Nm isolates. The study was conducted between 1 January and 18 November 2015.

Results

Seventy-five Nm urethritis cases were confirmed by biochemical and polymerase chain reaction testing.

SUBMITTER: Bazan JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5848337 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature