Phenotypic and molecular characterization of serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis associated with an outbreak in Bahia, Brazil.

Objective: To characterize meningococcal strains isolated from five cases of meningococcal disease (MD) associated with an outbreak in Trancoso - BA, occurred in October 2009. All cases, with the exception of a 39-year-old male, attended a dance party with approximately 1000 youngsters in a rural site.

Materials And Methods: The epidemiological investigation was conducted by the Epidemiological Surveillance Service of Bahia State.