[Analysis surveillance results of the Neisseria meningitidis carriage rate among healthy population in certain regions of Qinghai Province in 2023].

In 2023, a total of 853 throat swab specimens were collected from healthy individuals across four counties/districts in Qinghai Province to isolate Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) and analyze its carriage rate and serogroup distribution. Among the 853 specimens, 45 were positive for Nm, yielding an overall carriage rate of 5.28%. The serogroup distribution included 27 strains of serogroup B (60.00%), 11 strains of serogroup C (24.44%), 3 strains of serogroup Y (6.67%), 2 strains of serogroup W (4.44%), and 2 non-groupable strains (4.44%). The carriage rates varied geographically, ranging from 1.87% to 12.04%, with the highest rate observed in Xunhua County (12.04%) and the lowest in Datong County (1.87%). Across different age groups, carriage rates ranged from 2.46% to 14.17%, with the highest rate (14.17%) in the 15-19 years age group and the lowest (2.46%) in the<1 year age group. The carriage rate was higher in males (7.14%) than in females (3.58%), and higher in individuals without a vaccination history (7.93%) compared to those with a vaccination history (3.62%). These differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).