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A cluster of four cases of meningococcal disease in a single nuclear family
  1. P Acheson1,
  2. R Barron2,
  3. R Borrow3,
  4. S Gray4,
  5. C Marodi5,
  6. M Ramsay6,
  7. J Waller1,
  8. T Flood7
  1. 1Health Protection Agency North East, North East Health Protection Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
  2. 2Department of Paediatrics, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
  3. 3Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Health Protection Agency, Manchester, UK
  4. 4Meningococcal Reference Unit, Health Protection Agency, Manchester, UK
  5. 5Department of Clinical Microbiology, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
  6. 6Health Protection Services Colindale, Health Protection Agency, London, UK
  7. 7Department of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Peter Acheson, Health Protection Agency North East, North East Health Protection Unit, Floor 2, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4WH, UK; peter.acheson{at}hpa.org.uk

Abstract

A cluster of four confirmed cases of meningococcal disease was seen in the same nuclear family across a 15-week period. The cases were three siblings and a parent and all recovered well. The first case was confirmed by meningococcal PCR only but the subsequent three cases were due to indistinguishable strains of serogroup B (B:NT:P1.19-1,15-11). Contact tracing was initially undertaken and reviewed in detail after each subsequent case. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered to close family contacts on three separate occasions, including switching of antibiotic agents, with good compliance. Subsequent investigation of the family has not revealed any obvious immunological problem and no further significant infections have been recognised. A cluster of meningococcal disease of this nature and timescale is highly unusual. Details of the cluster, investigation and implications for health protection practice are discussed.

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests None.

  • Patient consent Obtained.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.