Antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria mengitidis isolates in some areas in China,2008 - 2009

Objective To analyze the antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria mengitidis (Nm) isolates in some areas in China during 2008 - 2009. Methods The sensitivity and resistance of 68 strains of Nm isolated from patients and healthy carriers to antibiotics were tested with E-test and Kirby-Bauer method in vitro. Results All strains were sensitive to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, chloramphenicol. One strain of serogroup C isolated from healthy carrier was resistant to meropenem. Thirteen strains were not sensitive to penicillin and 6 strains were not sensitive to ampicillin. Among 6 strains for prophylactic agents test, all were sensitive to azithromycin, minocycline and rifampicin except one rifampicin resistant strain of serogroup Y, 70.59% of strains were resistant to nalidixic acid,72.06% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 95.59% were resistant to trimethoprim+sulfamethoxazole. The sensitive rate of strains of W135 serogroup to penicillin and ampicillin was higher than other serogroups strains. Two strains were sensitive to sulfamethoxazole. The pattern of antibiotic sensitivity was different in strains isolated from patients and healthy carrier. Conclusion Fluoroquinolones and sulfamethoxazole are not recommended for the prevention of Nm infection. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of resistances of all serogroups Nm to penicillin and ampicillin and conduct long term antibiotic sensitivity surveillance to select appropriate antibiotics.