[Immunoepidemiological study of the meningococcal carrier state in groups of children and adolescents].

Immunoepidemiological study in groups of children of different ages was carried out. The study comprised the monthly bacteriological examination of the members of these groups and selective determination of the presence of specific meningococcal A- and C-antibodies, IgA, IgM and IgG in the blood serum, as well as the lysozyme activity of the saliva. The results thus obtained indicated that during the whole year two rises in the level of meningococcal carriership, in autumn and in spring, were registered, while the cases of meningococcal diseases were absent. The first rise was due to the influence of the conditions under which the groups had been formed, as well as to some decrease in specific immunity characteristics and nonspecific protective factors; the second rise occurred simultaneously with a considerable decrease in the content of specific meningococcal A- and O-antibodies.