Follow Up Study of Meningococcal Carriers amongst Recruits of a Military Training Center

This study was undertaken to analyze the meningococcal carrier state in six months follow up in the Armed forces setup. The study was carried out on 360 recruits in the age group of 16-25 years at the time of joining the training center. Overall prevalence of meningococcal carrier at the time of enrolment was 11.94% (43). It increased to 12.77% (46) after three months (first follow up) and 15% (54) after six months (second follow up). A total of 22 (6.9%) recruits acquired carrier status during the course of training, which entailed close proximity and long periods of aggregation in the class room, parade ground, dining hall and even during sleep hours. All the cultures grown were serotyped and antibiotic sensitivity was studied. Only serogroup A was identified. In addition, all cultures grown were found sensitive to sulphonamide, penicillin and rifampicin