Nazhaerbieke Halimubieke, Fu Wenhui, Lan Zhaoguo, Muheiyati Yesitai, Tian Tian, Wuqierjiafu Caipilima, Xie Na
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
PeerJ. 2025 Jul 29;13:e19772. doi: 10.7717/peerj.19772. eCollection 2025.
The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) currently exhibits the high incidence rates of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in China. Current epidemiological data on meningococcal carriage rates among asymptomatic individuals remain sparse, with limited population-based studies systematically investigating the prevalence of colonization in the general population. This study employs a dual-pronged epidemiological approach to systematically characterize the clinical-epidemiological profile of IMD in Xinjiang and quantify the nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence of among asymptomatic populations, while identifying region-specific sociodemographic and behavioral determinants of carriage dynamics.
Epidemiological characteristics were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological methods. strains isolated from asymptomatic carriers underwent serogroup characterization multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) targeting conserved capsular biosynthesis loci (serogroups A, B, C, W, X, and Y), with reaction conditions optimized per WHO standardized protocols for meningococcal molecular typing. The test was used to compare the carriage rates. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors associated with the carriage of .
From 2004 to 2023, 1,100 cases of IMD were reported in Xinjiang, with the annual incidence rate fluctuating between 0.00/100,000 and 1.15/100,000 per year. The peak incidence occurred from February to May. The incidence was primarily concentrated in individuals under 20 years old (80.36%). Among 3,075 oropharyngeal swab specimens analyzed, 411 (13.37%; 95% CI [12.18-14.62]) yielded culture-confirmed isolates. Serogroup B (168, 40.88%) emerged as the predominant meningococcal serogroup. Binomial multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated significant associations between the carriage rate of and age, sex, year, region, and vaccination history ( < 0.05).
Epidemiological surveillance data from 2004 to 2023 revealed a significant decline in the incidence of IMD across Xinjiang, with the epidemiological profile transitioning from cyclic epidemic peaks to sporadic case clusters. Despite this decline, the carriage rate of remained at elevated levels among healthy populations. The risk of carrying was relatively high among the healthy population in the southern region of Xinjiang, people aged over 16, and those without a vaccination history. Strengthening IMD surveillance in high-risk areas is essential to prevent future outbreaks.
新疆维吾尔自治区（新疆）目前是中国侵袭性脑膜炎球菌病（IMD）发病率较高的地区。目前关于无症状个体脑膜炎球菌携带率的流行病学数据仍然稀少，基于人群的系统性研究有限，难以全面调查普通人群中的定植流行情况。本研究采用双管齐下的流行病学方法，系统地描述新疆IMD的临床流行病学特征，量化无症状人群的鼻咽部携带率，同时确定携带动态的地区特异性社会人口学和行为决定因素。
采用描述性流行病学方法分析流行病学特征。从无症状携带者中分离出的菌株进行血清群鉴定，采用针对保守荚膜生物合成位点（血清群A、B、C、W、X和Y）的多重实时聚合酶链反应（实时PCR），反应条件根据世界卫生组织标准化的脑膜炎球菌分子分型方案进行优化。采用 检验比较 携带率。使用多变量逻辑回归模型分析与 携带相关的危险因素。
2004年至2023年，新疆共报告1100例IMD病例，年发病率在每年0.00/10万至1.15/10万之间波动。发病高峰出现在2月至5月。发病率主要集中在20岁以下人群（80.36%）。在分析的3075份口咽拭子标本中，411份（13.37%；95%CI[12.18 - 14.62]）培养确诊为 分离株。血清群B（168株，40.88%）是主要的脑膜炎球菌血清群。二项式多变量逻辑回归分析表明， 携带率与年龄、性别、年份、地区和疫苗接种史之间存在显著关联（ < 0.05）。
2004年至2023年的流行病学监测数据显示，新疆IMD发病率显著下降，流行病学特征从周期性流行高峰转变为散发病例聚集。尽管发病率有所下降，但健康人群中的 携带率仍处于较高水平。新疆南部地区的健康人群、16岁以上人群以及无疫苗接种史人群携带 的风险相对较高。加强高危地区的IMD监测对于预防未来疫情至关重要。
