Direct whole-genome sequencing of clinical specimens highlights the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis ST-10217 in Chad - Takeaways - MDSpire
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Whole-Genome Sequencing of Clinical Samples Reveals the Rise of Neisseria meningitidis ST-10217 in Chad

  • By

  • Bente Børud

  • Anne Witsø

  • Nadjioroum Ngam-Asra

  • Mbailamem Demian Antoinette

  • Djimtebaye Djimtola

  • Haoua Oumar Halgue

  • Katya Fernandez

  • André Arsene Bita Fouda

  • Dominique A. Caugant

  • Kadidja Gamougam

  • July 13, 2026

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  • 1

    Invasive meningococcal disease caused by *Neisseria meningitidis* has a case-fatality rate of 10%–15% and can cause long-term sequelae among survivors.

  • 2

    Serogroups A, B, C, W, X, and Y cause most endemic meningococcal disease and epidemics worldwide; serogroup A caused most large epidemics in the African meningitis belt before MenAfriVac was introduced in 2010.

  • 3

    After MenAfriVac was introduced, the number and proportion of confirmed cases caused by serogroups W and X increased in Chad; serogroup X accounted for 0.7% of confirmed cases in 2010–2012 and 22.2% in 2016–2018.

  • 4

    Direct whole-genome sequencing showed that CC10217, including ST-10217 and the newly assigned ST-18990, caused the serogroup C outbreak in Chad in 2025.

  • 5

    Direct whole-genome sequencing can strengthen meningococcal surveillance where limited capacity to culture bacterial isolates restricts genomic characterization.

Original Source(s)

Direct whole-genome sequencing of clinical specimens highlights the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis ST-10217 in Chad

  • by Bente Børud, Anne Witsø, Nadjioroum Ngam-Asra, Mbailamem Demian Antoinette, Djimtebaye Djimtola, Haoua Oumar Halgue, Katya Fernandez, André Arsene Bita Fouda, Dominique A. Caugant, Kadidja Gamougam

  • July 13, 2026

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