W135 invasive meningococcal strains spreading in South America: significant increase in incidence rate in Argentina.

摘要

In Argentina, the incidence rate of meningococcal disease is 0.6 cases per 105 inhabitants, representing around 250 cases declared every year. The number of- meningococcal strains received annually at the Reference Laboratory for Meningococci of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INEI-ANLIS, Dr Carlos G Malbran) from Argentina represents around 50 of the meningococcal invasive disease cases declared in the country. The Reference Laboratory participates in an external quality assurance program coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization. Within this context, the reference laboratory produces annual reports on serogroup distribution, strain characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility (3, 6, 7). Serogroup B has been and still is the most frequent (around 65).