Invasive Meningococcal Disease in Québec, Canada, Due to an Emerging Clone of ST-269 Serogroup B Meningococci with Serotype Antigen 17 and Serosubtype Antigen P1.19 (B:17:P1.19)

Abstract

During periods of endemic meningococcal disease, serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis is responsible for a significant percentage of invasive diseases, and no particular clone or strain predominates (F. E. Ashton and D. A. Caugant, Can. J. Microbiol. 47: 293-289, 2001), However, in the winter of 2004 to 2005, a cluster of serogroup B meningococcal disease occurred in one region in the province of Québec, Canada. The N. meningitidis strain responsible for this cluster of cases was identified as sequence type ST-269 with the antigenic formula B:17:P1.19. Retrospective analysis of isolates from 2000 onwards showed that this clone first emerged in the province of Québec in 2003. The emergence of this clone of serogroup B meningococci occurred after a mass vaccination against serogroup C N. meningitidis , suggesting possible capsule replacement.

Controlling serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease: the Canadian perspective

“…The ST-269 clone first emerged in Québec in 2003 associated with localized outbreaks and an increase in incidence of MenB in the age group of 15-24 years old [33]. The clone's persistence in Québec [9] resulted in an increase in MenB incidence in the younger and older age groups but without significant spread to neighboring provinces [National Microbiology Laboratory, Unpublished Data] [30], which is very different from the rapid dissemination seen with the hyperinvasive MenC clone of ET-15 (ST-11).…”

Invasive Meningococcal Disease Caused by Neisseria meningitidis Strains Expressing Both Serogroup Y and W-135 Antigenic Specificities

“…The serogroup of the isolates was determined by PCR (1, 7) and agglutination with specific rabbit antisera (BD Difco, Sparks, MD). Serotypes, serosubtypes, and PorB and PorA VR genotypes as well as multilocus sequence types (MLST) were determined using established methods as previously described (6). Sequencing of the siaD genes was accomplished by methods previously described (10).…”

Clonal Analysis of Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup B Strains in South Africa, 2002 to 2006: Emergence of New Clone ST-4240/6688

“…ST-269 has expanded in Europe in recent years and is responsible for a substantial portion of invasive disease (2,15,31,57). There have been reports of an increase in ST-269 following the introduction of the meningococcal C vaccine in Canada (30) and Scotland (15), with suggestions of possible capsule switching (between C and B) in Canada. ST-269 strains have also been identified in the United States (26), Cuba (9), and Europe (66).…”