Molecular epidemiology of serogroup a meningitis in Moscow, 1969-1997

Molecular analysis of 103 serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis strains isolat ed in Moscow from 1969 to 1997 showed that four independent clonal grouping s were responsible for successive waves of meningococcal disease. An epidem ic from 1969 to the mid-1970s was caused by genocloud 2 of subgroup III, po ssibly imported from China. Subsequent endemic disease through the early 19 90s was caused by subgroup X and then by subgroup VI, which has also caused endemic disease elsewhere in eastern Europe. A 1996 epidemic was part of t he pandemic spread from Asia of genocloud 8 of subgroup III. Recent genoclo ud 8 epidemic disease in Moscow may represent an early warning for spread o f these bacteria to other countries in Europe.