Serotype distribution of meningococci isolated in South Australia 1971 through 1980

Abstract

The serotypes of meningococci isolated from 76 sporadic cases of meningococcal disease in South Australia during the years 1971 through 1980 were determined. Thirty-four (56%) of the 61 group B strains were nontypable; the remainder were of five serotypes namely 8 (16%), 1 (13%), 2 (2a and 2b) (9%), 12 (3%), and 15 (3%). Four of the five group B type 2 strains were serotype 2b. Serotype 2a accounted for four of seven group C strains and four of five group W135 strains. Overall serotypes 2 (2a and 2b) (17%), 8 (13%), and 1 (10%) occurred most frequently amongst the typable strains, whereas 40 (53%) of the 76 strains were nontypable. The results indicate that several serotypes and many nontypable strains were responsible for the sporadic disease occurring during a 10-year period in Australia.