[Examination of the environment in meningococcal disease. Identification and clearing of the virulent microorganism from the environment of patients with meningococcal disease].

  • 10 May 1989
    • journal article
    • abstracts
    • Vol. 109  (13) , 1373-6
Abstract
During the period from January 1987 to June 1988 DNA fingerprinting was used to identify carriers of the disease-causing strain of Neisseria meningitidis among the patients contacts. A total of 432 persons were screened during nine episodes. The overall carrier-rate was 16.2%, and the causative strain was found in 3.4% of the contacts. Eleven carriers were successfully treated with rifampicin, whereas two of three carriers treated with penicillin remained carriers. We conclude that DNA fingerprinting is a valuable tool for rapid identification of carriers of the causative organism in order to eradicate the epidemic strain of N. meningitidis.

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