FREQUENCY OF PHARYNGEAL NEISSERIA CARRIAGE AMONG 10-12 YEARS OLD PUPILES IN TEHRAN, IRAN

Background and Objective: Neisseria meningitidis is an obligate pathogen of human and temporary colonizes the mucosa of upper respiratory tract. This study was done to determine the frequency of pharyngeal Neisseria Carriage among 10-12 years old pupiles. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 364 pupiles at four primary schools in Tehran during spring 2008 and winter 2009. The samples were collected from pharyngeal region and were cultured on Thayer-Martin Agar. Results: Among 364 collected samples from pharynx of pupiles, Neisseria meningitidis not found on the selective media, but three of pupiles were carrier of Neisseria lactamica . Conclusion: This study showed that Neisseria meningitides colonization was not observed in the pharynx of 10-12 years old pupiles.