Intercontinental spread of a genetically distinctive complex of clones of Neisseria meningitidis causing epidemic disease

摘要: Strains of Neisseria meningitidis responsible for an epidemic meningococcal disease occurring in Norway since the mid-1970s and recent increases incidence several other parts Europe have been identified by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis as members a distinctive group 22 closely related clones (the ET-5 complex). Clones this complex also colonized South Africa, Chile, Cuba, Florida, where they causative agents outbreaks disease. There is strong circumstantial evidence that Miami 1981 1982 were caused large part bacteria reached Florida via human immigrants from Cuba.