CHARACTERIZATION OF EPIDEMIC NEISSERIA-MENINGITIDIS SEROGROUP-C STRAINS IN SEVERAL BRAZILIAN STATES

Epidemic strains of the Neisseria meningitidis C:2b:P1.3 electrophoret ic type 11 complex were responsible for an outbreak in Curitiba, Paran a State, Brazil, from 1990 to 1991. Strains of this complex were also isolated in other Brazilian states and were responsible for a meningoc occal disease epidemic in Sao Paulo State in 1990. Serotyping both wit h monoclonal antibodies and by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis,vas u seful for typing these epidemic strains related to the increased incid ence of meningococcal disease. The genetic similarity of members of th e electrophoretic type 11 complex aas confirmed by the ribotyping meth od by using EcoRI or ClaI endonuclease restriction enzymes.