[The evolution of meningococcal infection in Mongolia].

On the basis of the generalization and analysis of the results of bacteriological and immunological investigations the epidemic process of meningococcal infection (MI) in Mongolia was found to undergo definite changes during the last 20 years. Group A meningococci prevailing in the etiology of MI were replaced by strains belonging to group B affecting mainly young children (aged up to 3 years). MI morbidity rate caused by group B meningococci was found to be higher in Mongolia than in other countries of the world.

[The effect of vaccination on local immunity indices; the determination of antimeningococcal antibodies in saliva].

Local immunity characteristics were studied in 130 young males; of these, 80 had been immunized with group A meningococcal vaccine. In nonstimulated saliva, collected prior to vaccination, then on days 7, 14 and 30 after vaccination, the levels of IgA antibodies to group A meningococcal group-specific polysaccharide (PS-A) were determined in the enzyme immunoassay, and secretory IgA and IgA, IgG, IgM were determined by Mancini's method. The study revealed that after the parenteral administration of group A meningococcal vaccine an increase in the concentrations of SIgA and IgA antibodies to PS-A occurred.