Meningococcal disease due to serogroup Y in Scotland, 1992-1999

Meningococcal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. A r etrospective analysis was performed of all cases of invasive group-Y diseas e that were laboratory-confirmed in Scotland between 1992 and 1999. A total of 1881 meningococcal isolates were characterised, 78 of which were serogr oup Y. The incidence of non-invasive group-Y disease remained level between 1992 and 1999. Only 12 isolates were from invasive disease, comprising fiv e strain types. Invasive group-Y disease was associated mostly with the you ng or old. Serogroup-Y meningococcal disease was uncommon and a rare cause of invasive disease in Scotland between 1992 and 1999; however, it is essen tial that microbiologists are aware of its potential for increasing in inci dence due to the recent introduction of the MenC vaccine, and its increased incidence in the USA.