First report of capsule replacement among electrophoretic type 37 Neisseria meningitidis strains in Italy

J Clin Microbiol. 2003 Dec;41(12):5783-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.12.5783-5786.2003.

Abstract

This report describes the C-to-B capsular switching in four Neisseria meningitidis strains belonging to the electrophoretic type 37 (ET-37) complex. In particular, one strain belonged to the new sequence type 1860, which was first detected in the year 2000 in Italy and is now frequently isolated. The presence of switched serogroup B strains deserves special attention if they prove as able to spread as their serogroup C progenitors belonging to the hypervirulent ET-37 complex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA Transposable Elements / genetics
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / diagnosis*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / classification*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / genetics
  • Neisseria meningitidis / isolation & purification*
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serotyping / methods

Substances

  • DNA Transposable Elements