Objective: To determine the prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) from healthy carriers and its resistance to penicillin in Cerdanyola population. To asses which risk factors were associated with healthy carriers and compare some epidemiologic characteristics between people with penicillin sensitive and penicillin resistant strains.
Methods: Cross-sectional seasonal study of 1500 individuals selected from day care centers, schools, colleges, cultural and working centers, located in different areas of Cerdanyola. We performed throat smears and immediate culture onto selective media for isolation of N. meningitidis. Data were evaluated by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis using the SPSS statistical package.
Results: One hundred and ninety-one (12.7%) individuals harbored N. meningitidis strains. In logistic regression multivariate analysis, meningococcal carriage significantly increased for the age group 14-18 years (OR = 4.55 with respect to the reference group, 0-3 years), in the spring (OR = 2.29), male sex (OR = 1.67), and active smoking (OR = 1.45, intervals of 10 cigarettes/day), while meningococcal carriage significantly decreased in the group under 4 years at age (OR = 0.55), with prior use of antibiotics (OR = 0.58) and with bigger housing space (OR = 0.84 for 10 m2/person). A 42% of N. meningitidis strains in carriers from this population showed decreased sensitivity to penicillin (MIC > 0.1 microgram/ml). We have not found significantly association between the variables studied and penicillin resistance among carriers of N. meningitidis.
Conclusions: Age, spring season, sex, active smoking and overcrowded housing are significantly associated to carrier state. Prior use of antibiotics decreased to carrier state. According to our findings, reducing smoking habits and improving housing conditions may be useful measures to reduce the prevalence of carriers.