The Level of Meningococcal Carriage and Genotyping of N. meningitidis Strains in the Group of Labor Migrants

Relevance. Population migration can play a crucial role in the spread of invasive strains of meningococcus, initiating outbreaks of meningococcal infection, and changing the incidence at the local level.

Aim. To assess the prevalence of meningococcal carriage among migrants arriving in Moscow and to characterize the antigenic and genetic properties of carrier strains of meningococcus.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted in March 2020 at the bases of the Multifunctional Migration Center of Moscow and the Federal Budget Institution of Science «Central Research Institute of Epidemiology». Samples of nasopharyngeal mucus were collected from 352 people. Nasopharyngeal strains of meningococcus were identified and identified using microbiological, serological, and molecular biological methods.

Results. The overall level of the carriage was 5.7%. Of the twenty selected strains, 10 have a serogroup defined: Y – 5 strains, W - 3, A, and B – 1 each. The obtained genetic and antigenic characteristics do not allow talking about the import into the RF of representatives of known hypervirulent clonal complexes. In this study, strains were identified that are part of the clonal complex ST-175 complex, which has not been previously described in the Russian Federation.

Conclusion. It seems promising to continue the dynamic monitoring of carriage of meningococcus in various groups, including among people entering the country to obtain a migration patent, as well as identifying risk factors for acquiring carriage. The data obtained will supplement current information on the incidence of the generalized form of meningococcal infection and will be crucial for determining the epidemiology at the country level, the population groups responsible for the transmission of the disease, and the need for targeted vaccination.

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