Meningococcal disease in Italy in 1990.

The incidence of meningococcal disease in Italy in 1990 was 0.5/100,000 in the general population and 0.7/100,000 in army recruits. The highest proportion of cases (32%) was seen in subjects 1-4 years old. The sex ratio was 1.0 Serogroup B constituted 72% of the isolates; 16% belonged to group A and 12% belonged to group C. The proportion of strains resistant to suphonamides was 56%, while no strain was resistant to minocycline or rifampicin. Two secondary cases, but no comprimary cases occurred among civilians. The predominance of serogroup B and the further decline in military cases constitute the findings of major interest.