Carlos del Rio, MD reviewing Nanduri S et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016 Sep 9.

Analysis of an outbreak among men who have sex with men identified no specific risk factors.

Outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease caused by serogroup C (NmC) among men who have sex with men (MSM) have occurred in various U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, as well as in Europe, since 2010. As a result, the meningococcal vaccine containing serogroup C (MenACWY) has been recommended for MSM who are infected with HIV, have multiple sex partners, or who find partners using the Internet or social media. Between March and August 2016, 25 cases of invasive disease caused by NmC (1 of unknown serogroup), including 2 deaths, were reported in Southern California. Most were MSM, 2 were HIV-infected, and 8 were Hispanic; median age was 32 years. The estimated attack rate was 6.4 cases per 100,000 population — roughly 50 times the expected incidence among people ≥18 years in the U.S. The isolates appeared to be sequence type ST-11 and clonal. No direct epidemiological linkages or risks were identified among cases, unlike in previous outbreaks. As a result, health departments in Southern California have expanded their immunization recommendations to include all MSM regardless of HIV status or risk behaviors.

CITATION(S):

Nanduri S et al. Outbreak of serogroup C meningococcal disease primarily affecting men who have sex with men — Southern California, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2016 Sep 9; 65:939. 

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