[An analysis of the epidemic cycle of meningococcal infection in Russia (1969-1993)].

In this work the specific features of the epidemiological rise of morbidity in meningococcal infection in Russia for the period of 25 years are analyzed. Some factors influencing the intensity of the disease, such as etiology, specific features arising from the age of patients, social and territorial factors, are analyzed. Two waves of epidemic have been established in a single epidemic cycle. The first wave of epidemic was caused by meningococci of group A and characterized by the prevalence of city-dwellers among the patients; the second wave was caused by meningococci of groups A and B with the prevalence of the latter, especially during the period of the slump of the wave. The "Asiatic" and "European" types of morbidity were distinguished (in Moscow and St. Petersburg). The analysis of the epidemic cycle of meningococcal infection indicates the expediency of the development of new specific wide-profile preparation for prophylaxis.