Outbreak of meningococcal disease after an influenza B epidemic at a Hellenic Air Force recruit training center.

Makras, P; Alexiou-Daniel, S; Antoniadis, A; Hatzigeorgiou, D · Clin Infect Dis · 2001

case_report · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

In January 1996, during an outbreak of meningococcal disease at a Hellenic Air Force recruit center in southern Greece, we collected paired serum specimens from 55 randomly selected recruits and tested for antibodies against influenza virus types A and B. Of 55 specimens, 15 (27%) were found to be positive for recent influenza B infection, confirming previous reports that respiratory tract infection due to influenza is probably a predisposing factor for meningococcal disease.

Medical subject headings