Identification of a new Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C clone from Anhui province, China

摘要: Summary Background Outbreaks of a new serogroup C meningococcal disease emerged during 2003–04 (five outbreaks with 43 cases) and in 2004–05 29 cases), all Anhui province, China. We describe the molecular epidemiology features causative bacterial strains. Methods used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) to analyse Findings Of 34 strains Neisseria meningitidis cultured from 31 were group meningococci, 28 which associated three five outbreaks; one patient 27 close contacts eight patients. 30 isolated province 2004–05, 17 identified as ten four outbreaks. In nationwide survey, 542 2004–05; 58 meningococci interspersed among 11 other provinces where no outbreak occurred. 106 analysed, 89 had identical PFGE patterns, designated AH1. selected for MLST analyses, 25 type 4821 (ST-4821), did not belong any previously reported types that can form hypervirulent lineage. Interpretation ST-4821 seems be unique caused meningitis two seasons 2003 2005 province. The emergence this has epidemiological importance should monitored future spread China rest world.