Variable-number tandem repeat analysis of meningococcal isolates belonging to the sequence type 162 complex

J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Sep;43(9):4865-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.9.4865-4867.2005.

Abstract

Thirty-one meningococcal isolates from carriers and disease cases belonging to the sequence type (ST) 162 complex, isolated in Greece in 1999 and 2000, were studied by the use of variable-number tandem repeat analysis. Our study demonstrated that the isolates belonging to the ST-162 clonal complex were a heterogeneous group. Based on this heterogeneity, it is unlikely that the disease-associated isolates represent an outbreak.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bacterial Typing Techniques*
  • Carrier State / epidemiology
  • Carrier State / microbiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Greece / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Minisatellite Repeats / genetics*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / classification*
  • Neisseria meningitidis / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Serotyping