Meningococcal Disease, 2005

Sixteen cases of Neisseria meningitidis invasive disease (0.3 per 100,000 population) were reported in 2005, compared to 24 cases in 2004. There were six (38%) serogroup B cases, five (31%) serogroup C cases, and five (31%) serogroup Y cases. In addition, there was one culture-negative suspected case and one autopsy culture-positive probable case of meningococcal disease, that were positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the Public Health Laboratory.

Case-patients ranged in age from 3 months to 82 years, with a mean of 24 years. Sixty-nine percent of the cases occurred in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Ten (63%) case-patients had bacteremia without another focus of infection, and six (38%) had meningitis. All cases were sporadic, with no definite epidemiologic links.

One death occurred among cases reported in 2005. An infant male died of bacteremia attributed to serogroup B. The probable case, a 17-year-old male with a positive PCR and serogroup B N. meningitidis isolated from an autopsy culture, died of meningitis.

In the spring of 2002, MDH in collaboration with CDC and other EIP sites nationwide, began a case-control study of risk factors for meningococcal disease among high school students in Minnesota. One probable serogroup B case, described previously, occurred among high school students in 2005.

In January 2005, a meningococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine for serogroups A,C,Y, and W-135 (MCV4) was licensed for use in the United States for persons aged 11 to 55 years. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend immunization with the new vaccine at age 11-12 years or at high school entry as well as for college freshmen living in dormitories and other groups previously determined to be at high risk in the licensed age range. In addition to the high school student described previously whose serogroup was not covered in the vaccine, there was one case in an adolescent in 2005, a 12-year-old with serogroup Y disease. No cases were identified as college students. See page 44 for MCV4 recommendations.

• For up to date information see>> Meningococcal Disease
• Full issue>> Annual Summary of Communicable Diseases Reported to the Minnesota Department of Health, 2005