Meningococcal isolate surveillance, Australia, 1995

Abstract

In 1995 the National Neisseria Network examined 250 strains of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from invasive cases of meningococcal disease throughout Australia. The majority of isolates were either
serogroup B (166, 66%) or serogroup C (69, 28%). There were only two serogroup A isolates. The proportion of isolates of serogroup B meningococci increased in 1995 from 54% in 1994. Most cases
of invasive disease occurred in those less than four years of age (43%), with another peak in the 15 - 24 years age group (26%). Outcome data were available in 190 instances and there were 13 deaths recorded (7%). Penicillin susceptibility of isolates was little changed and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged between 0.002 and 0.5 mg/L. One hundred and fifty-five isolates were in the ’less susceptible’ range (MIC 0.06 - 0.5 mg/L). Comm Dis Intell 1996;20:422-424.