Serogroups, serotypes, serosubtypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis isolates in Casablanca, Morocco.

Since antigenic characterization and antibiotic susceptibility testing are useful for generating prophylactic recommendations and treatment guidelines, a total of 163 Neisseria meningitidis isolates obtained between January 1992 and September 2000 at the microbiology laboratory of the IbnRochd University Hospital of Casablanca, Morocco, were serogrouped, serotyped, serosubtyped and tested for their susceptibility to five antibiotics. Serogroup B was detected most frequently (75.5%), followed by serogroup A (13.5%). The phenotype B:4:P1.15 represented 74.8% of all serogroup B isolates. Seven (4.3%) isolates demonstrated decreased susceptibility to penicillin G. All isolates tested were susceptible to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol and rifampin. All isolates were inhibited by spiramycin at a concentration of 0.4 mg/l.