University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.
Emerg Infect Dis. 2010 Mar;16(3):465-72. doi: 10.3201/eid1603.091102.
Emergence of serogroup B meningococci of clonal complex sequence type (ST) 41/44 can cause high levels of disease, as exemplified by a recent epidemic in New Zealand. Multiplication of annual incidence rates (3.1 cases/100,000 population) of meningococcal disease in a defined German region, the city of Aachen and 3 neighboring countries (Greater Aachen) prompted us to investigate and determine the source and nature of this outbreak. Using molecular typing and geographic mapping, we analyzed 1,143 strains belonging to ST41/44 complex, isolated from persons with invasive meningococcal disease over 6 years (2001-2006) from 2 German federal states (total population 26 million) and the Netherlands. A spatially slowly moving clone with multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis type 19, ST42, and antigenic profile B:P1.7-2,4:F1-5 was responsible for the outbreak. Bactericidal activity in serum samples from the New Zealand MeNZB vaccination campaign confirmed vaccine preventability. Because this globally distributed epidemic strain spreads slowly, vaccination efforts could possibly eliminate meningococcal disease in this area.
B 群脑膜炎奈瑟球菌（血清群 B 脑膜炎球菌）克隆复合体序列型 41/44 的出现可导致高疾病发生率，最近在新西兰发生的流行疫情就是一个例证。德国一个特定地区（亚琛市及其周边 3 个国家，大亚琛地区）的年度发病率（每 10 万人中有 3.1 例）呈倍数增加，促使我们调查并确定此次疫情的来源和性质。通过分子分型和地理绘图，我们对 6 年来（2001 年至 2006 年）从德国的两个联邦州和荷兰分离的 1143 株属于 ST41/44 复合体的侵袭性脑膜炎奈瑟球菌菌株进行了分析。具有多位点可变数目串联重复分析型 19、ST42 和抗原表型 B:P1.7-2,4:F1-5 的空间移动缓慢的克隆是此次疫情的源头。来自新西兰 MeNZB 疫苗接种运动的血清样本中的杀菌活性证实了疫苗的预防效果。由于这种在全球范围内传播的流行株传播缓慢，疫苗接种工作可能会在该地区消除脑膜炎球菌病。
