The epidemiology of Neisseria meningitidis meningitis in Togo during 2003–2005

Few reports documenting the epidemiology of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) serogroup W135 exist, and none from Togo. During 2003–2005, we conducted acute bacterial meningitis surveillance at three major reference hospitals in Togo. Of 116 Nm identified, 83 (71%) were NmA, 23 (20%) were NmW135, and 10 (9%) did not have a serogroup identified. Nine percent of NmW135 cases and 35% of NmA cases occurred among those aged 15 years or older. The two hospitals in central Togo reported 23% of all Nm cases and 78% of NmW135 cases. Twelve of the 23 NmW135 cases occurred during February–March 2003, while the remaining 11 occurred sporadically over the remaining 18 months of the study. NmW135 meningitis showed pronounced temporal and geographic clustering and occurred almost exclusively among those younger than 15 years old. By the 2004–2005 epidemic season, NmW135 had largely disappeared from Togo for unknown reasons.