Seroepidemiology and Chemoprophylaxis of Disease Due to Sulfonamide-Resistant Neisseria meningitidis in a Civilian Population

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
An epidemic caused by group C sulfonamide-resistant Neisseria meningitidis occurred during an eight-month period in two lower socioeconomic communities in Dade County, Florida. Five of 85 close contacts of patients (5.9%) contracted meningococcal disease. Nasopharyngeal carriage and serologic evidence of meningococcal infection were significantly more frequent among close contacts than among controls in the neighborhood. The risk of meningococcal infection was found to be significantly greater for persons who shared five-person bedrooms than for those who slept in less crowded bedrooms. A trial was conducted with rifampin among close contacts of patients. Rifampin eradicated meningococcal carriage in 92% of the treated group, and rifampin-resistant strains did not emerge. The data indicate the need for chemoprophylaxis of all close contacts of persons with meningococcal disease without regard for the results of nasopharyngeal cultures. Casual acquaintances (such as schoolmates) were not found to need prophylactic therapy.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: