Meningococcal Disease, 2006

Fifteen cases of Neisseria meningitidis invasive disease (0.3 per 100,000) were reported in 2006, compared to 16 cases in 2005. There were five (33%) serogroup B cases, four (27%) serogroup C cases, and six (40%) serogroup Y cases. In addition, there were three culture-negative suspect cases that were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the Public Health Laboratory.

Case-patients ranged in age from 2 months to 85 years, with a median of 22 years. Forty percent of the cases occurred in the metropolitan area. Seven (47%) case-patients had bacteremia without another focus of infection, seven (47%) had meningitis, and one (7%) had pneumonia. Two serogroup Y cases had links to the same nursing home. All other cases were sporadic, with no definite epidemiologic links.

Three deaths occurred among cases reported in 2006. A 30-year-old male and a 73-year-old male died of bacteremia attributed to serogroup Y. A 19-year-old female died of bacteremia attributed to serogroup B.

In January 2005, a meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine for serogroups A,C,Y, and W-135 (MCV4) was licensed for use in the United States for persons aged 11 to 55 years. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend immunization with the new vaccine at age 11-12 years, or at high school entry, as well as for college freshmen living in dormitories, and other groups in the licensed age range previously determined to be at high risk. In 2006, MDH in collaboration with the CDC and other sites nationwide, began a case-control study of the efficacy of the MCV4 vaccine. Six cases occurred among 11-22 year-olds, including four college students and one high school student. Three cases had serogroup B disease that would not have been prevented by the vaccine. There was also a culture-negative, PCR-positive suspected case of serogroup C disease in a college student. The case-patients in this age group who had serogroup C or serogroup Y disease had not received meningococcal vaccine.

• For up to date information see>> Meningococcal Disease
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2006