RAPID EPIDEMIOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF N EISSERIA-MENINGITIDIS BY A NON CULTURE TYPING METHOD USING POLYMERIZATION CHAIN-REACTION

OBJECTIVES: Due to the spread of the meningococcal infections, a good epidemiological surveillance is needed. Prophylactic measures should b e undertaken because of the high transmissibility of these bacteria. O ne problem which hinders the epidemiological characterization is that the responsible strain should be isolated. The aim of this work is to develop a rapid and non culture typing method of Neisseria meningitidi s. METHODS: Six cerbrospinal fluids were obtained from 5 different pat ients with meningococcal meningitis. A specific locus, pilA, for N. me ningitidis was amplified by polymerization chain reaction (PCR). The p olymorphism of this locus was then analyzed by digesting the PCR produ cts with one of three different restriction enzymes. RESULTS: The poly morphism of this locus allowed us to establish the clonal relationship s between the meningococcal strains involved in the infection. Three C SF corresponded to epidemiological strains. CONCLUSION: This typing me thod allows a rapid and less expensive epidemiological characterizatio n of meningococcal infections. Moreover, it is a non culture typing me thod. (C) 1997, Masson, Paris.