Cerebrospinal Fluid by Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

the 18 cases in which the meningococcal serotype was identified, type C was the most frequent serotype (type A, no cases; type C, 11; type Y, 2; type W-135, 1; type B, 4); in 25 cases, the serotype was unknown. Cases of culture-confirmed meningococcal disease occurred 8.89–22.91 times more frequently in students residing in dormitories than in those residing in other types of accommodation (table 1). Moreover, 68 % of these cases occurred in students 19 years of age or younger, and 90 % occurred in subjects 20 years of age or younger. These data suggest that although the incidence of meningococ-cal disease among students is low, there is an increased frequency of infection among students residing in dormitories. Particularly, the increased incidence of meningococcal disease among the younger students suggests that this risk is greatest during the first or second year of college. Although it is possible that these findings may, in part, reflect closer surveillance and increased reporting of disease in students residing in dormitories, these results should be considered when making any further recommendations regarding disease prevention programs for students entering college