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Meningococcal infections in the German democratic republic 1971–1984

Meningokokkeninfektionen in der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik 1971–1984

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Summary

Since May 1979 all meningococcal strains isolated in the GDR have been investigated microbiologically. Despite a generally low incidence, a marked increase in meningococcal infections has been observed. From a total of 650 strains sent to our institute up to 1984, 515 could be serogrouped. 54 strains belonged to serogroup A, 292 to B, 125 to C, two to X, eight to Y, one to Z, 30 to W-135 and three to 29E. There were no substantial changes in the distribution of the groups. In our study we tried to find out whether there are any correlations between the epidemiological and microbiological data. A record was made of the age distribution, clinical picture and regional distribution of the meningococcal strains isolated. Rifampicin chemoprophylaxis of contacts was introduced in 1981.

Zusammenfassung

Seit Mai 1979 werden alle in der DDR isolierten Meningokokkenstämme mikrobiologisch untersucht. Bei insgesamt niedriger Inzidenz ist ein Anstieg der Zahl der Meningokokkeninfektionen zu beobachten. Von insgesamt 650 unserem Institut bis 1984 eingesandten Stämmen konnten 515 serologisch gruppiert werden. 54 Stämme gehören zur Serogruppe A, 292 zur Serogruppe B, 125 zur Serogruppe C, 2 zur Serogruppe X, 8 zur Serogruppe Y, 1 zur Serogruppe Z, 30 zur Serogruppe W-135 und 3 zur Serogruppe 29E. Es gab keine grundsätzlichen Veränderungen im Verteilungsmuster der Serogruppen. Wir versuchten, Korrelationen zwischen epidemiologischen und mikrobiologischen Daten aufzudecken. Es werden Angaben zur Altersverteilung, dem klinischen Bild und der regionalen Verteilung der isolierten Stämme gemacht. 1981 wurde die Rifampicin-Chemoprophylaxe von Kontaktpersonen eingeführt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Infektionskrankheiten im Kindesalter, Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Wiltbergstraße 50, DDR-1115, Berlin

    W. -D. Grahlow,  H. W. Ocklitz &  H. Mochmann

Authors
  1. W. -D. Grahlow
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  2. H. W. Ocklitz
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  3. H. Mochmann
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Grahlow, W.D., Ocklitz, H.W. & Mochmann, H. Meningococcal infections in the German democratic republic 1971–1984. Infection 14, 286–288 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01643964

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01643964

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