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Prevalence of N. meningitidis and N. lactamica, as well as their relationship to age and sex variables in individuals of three different risk groups (day care centers, primary school and universities) was determined by performing an exudate of upper naso-pharynx. Epidemiological markers of the isolated N. meningitidis strains were identified and the presence of other microorganisms of Neisseriaceae family was identified. Identification of the strains obtained was carried out by API NH (bioMérieux) system; sero-grouping of N. meningitidis was determined by agglutination in slides with specific antisera and sero/subtypes and immunotypes were identified by an immuno-enzymatic assay of whole cells with monoclonal antibodies. The 10.9% of investigated subjects was carrier of N. meningitidis, which increased with age. Prevalence of carriers had the following behavior: Group 1: children from 0-6 years old (4.3%); Group 2: children from 5-12 years old (6.9%) and Group 3: young adults from 17-22 years old (25.1%). No significant differences were observed with respect ot sex (p > 0.05). In Group 1, phenotype NA:NT:P1.6:L3.7.9 (71.5%) predominated while in Groups 2 and 3, the association NA:NT:P1.NST:L3.7.9 (36.4 and 25%, respectively) prevailed. Predominance of non-epidemiogenic strains support the impact of immunization in Cuba with VA-MENGOC-BC?. Isolation of strains of N. lactamica decreased with the increase of age: Group 1 (47.5%), Group 2 (29.8%) and Group 3 (3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]