論文ID: JJID.2017.244
Although invasive meningococcal disease is rare in Japan (0.028 cases per 100,000 population), its incidence is 10 times greater in many other countries. Colonization is a prerequisite for invasive meningococcal disease. However, no study in Japan has specifically analysed the carriage rate of Neisseria meningitidis in children. During 5 months in 2015, the respiratory tract specimens of patients who presented to three hospitals with respiratory symptoms were cultured. The bacteria were identified in selective medium using a meningococcal detection kit and the serogroup was identified by polymerase chain reaction analysis. In 389 patients aged ≤15 years with respiratory symptoms, the N. meningitidis isolation rate was 0.26% (1/389). The serogroup of the only child who tested positive was Y. In this study, we detected a low meningococcal isolation rate in paediatric patients. Due to increasing globalisation, the risk of invasive meningococcal disease is likely increasing in Japan. Accordingly, invasive meningococcal diseases should be continuously monitored in Japan. Future large scale studies should assess meningococcal isolation rates and corresponding serogroups.
