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WOS: 000297782400006 Objective: Because the Neisseria meningitidis carriage is known as a major cause of its transmission, determination of the asymptomatic carriage rate in community is important. This study was planned to verify the carriage rates in close contacts and in general population, typing isolates and discussing them in epidemiological manner following cases of meningococcal diseases over than estimated for the two months period in Diyarbakir In addition, relationship between N. meningitidis carriage and the risk factors -e.g. age, sex, smoking, number of household members- was also investigated. Material and Method: A total of 255 nasopharyngeal samples (close contacts n=69; normal population n=186) were collected and cultured onto specific media. Results: General carriage rate was found to be 2.4% (6/255). The highest rate was seen in the 5-9 year age group as 3.4% (2/59). Carriage rate among close contacts most of whom taken chemoprophylaxis was 1.5% whereas the rate was calculated as 2.7% in normal population. Only one isolate, which is also single isolate from the group of close contacts, was serogrouped as W135. One of the isolates from five members in the representing group of normal population was defined as serogroup X while the remaining four could not be serogrouped. Conclusion: Since N. meningitidis serogroup W135 was responsible from the epidemics during the Haj seasons in Saudi Arabia in 2000 and 2001, and a case caused by W135 was also reported in our country in 2004, increase in rate of carriage is important for this pathogen. |
