[Rapid epidemiological characterization of Neisseria meningitidis using polymerization chain reaction from biological samplings]

Abstract

Objectives: Due to the spread of the meningococcal infections, a good epidemiological surveillance is needed. Prophylactic measures should be undertaken because of the high transmissibility of these bacteria. One problem which hinders the epidemiological characterization is that the responsible strain should be isolated. The aim of this work is to develop a rapid and non culture typing method of Neisseria meningitidis.

Methods: Six cerebrospinal fluids were obtained from 5 different patients with meningococcal meningitis. A specific locus, pil A, for N. meningitidis was amplified by polymerization chain reaction (PCR). The polymorphism of this locus was then analyzed by digesting the PCR products with one of three different restriction enzymes.

Results: The polymorphism of this locus allowed us to establish the clonal relationships between the meningococcal strains involved in the infection. Three CSF corresponded to epidemiological strains.

Conclusion: This typing method allows a rapid and less expensive epidemiological characterization of meningococcal infections. Moreover, it is a non culture typing method.