Phylogenetic relationships and regional spread of meningococcal strains in the meningitis belt, 2011-2016.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Historically, the major cause of meningococcal epidemics in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa has been Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (NmA), but the incidence has been substantially reduced since the introduction of a serogroup A conjugate vaccine starting in 2010. We performed whole-genome sequencing on isolates collected post-2010 to assess their phylogenetic relationships and inter-country transmission.

Methods

A total of 716 invasive meningococcal isolates collected between 2011 and 2016 from 11 meningitis belt countries were whole-genome sequenced for molecular characterization by the three WHO Collaborating Centers for Meningitis.

Findings

We identified three previously-reported clonal complexes (CC): CC11 (n = 434), CC181 (n = 62) and CC5

SUBMITTER: Topaz N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6443582 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature