Saliva and meningococcal transmission

Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Oct;9(10):1314-5. doi: 10.3201/eid0910.030344.

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis carriage was compared in swab specimens of nasopharynx, tonsils, and saliva taken from 258 students. We found a higher yield in nasopharyngeal than in tonsillar swabs (32% vs. 19%, p<0.001). Low prevalence of carriage in saliva swabs (one swab [0.4%]) suggests that low levels of salivary contact are unlikely to transmit meningococci.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Carrier State / epidemiology
  • Carrier State / microbiology
  • England / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / transmission
  • Nasopharynx / microbiology
  • Neisseria meningitidis / classification
  • Neisseria meningitidis / isolation & purification*
  • Palatine Tonsil / microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Saliva / microbiology*