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Díez-Domingo J, Simkó R, Icardi G, Chong CP, Zocchetti C, Syrkina O, Bchir S, Bertrand-Gerentes I. Immunogenicity and Safety of a Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine Versus Nimenrix in Healthy Adolescents: A Randomized Phase IIIb Multicenter Study. Infect Dis Ther 2024; 13:1835-1859. [PMID: 38955966 PMCID: PMC11266330 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-024-01009-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many immunization programs in Europe recommend quadrivalent meningococcal vaccinations, which are often administered concomitantly with other vaccines. We compared the immune response of a tetanus toxoid conjugated quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (MenACYW-TT, MenQuadfi®) with another quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4-TT; Nimenrix®) when administered alone or concomitantly with Tdap-IPV and 9vHPV vaccines in adolescents. METHODS In this phase IIIb trial, healthy adolescents (MenC-naïve or MenC-primed before 2 years of age) from Spain, Italy, Hungary, and Singapore were randomized in a 3:3:2 ratio to receive either MenACYW-TT or MCV4-TT alone, or MenACYW-TT concomitantly with 9vHPV and Tdap-IPV. The primary objective was to demonstrate the non-inferiority of the seroprotection rate (human serum bactericidal assay [hSBA] titer ≥ 1:8) to serogroups A, C, W, and Y 30 days post-vaccination with a single dose of MenACYW-TT or MCV4-TT. Secondary objectives included describing hSBA titers for the four serogroups before and 1 month following vaccination and according to MenC priming status. RESULTS A total of 463 participants were enrolled (MenACYW-TT, n = 173; MCV4-TT, n = 173; MenACYW-TT/9vHPV/Tdap-IPV n = 117). Non-inferiority based on seroprotection was demonstrated for MenACYW-TT versus MCV4-TT for all serogroups. Immune responses were comparable whether MenACYW-TT was administered alone or concomitantly with Tdap-IPV and 9vHPV. Post-vaccination hSBA GMTs were higher in MenACYW-TT vs. MCV4-TT for serogroups C, Y, and W and comparable for serogroup A. The percentages of participants with an hSBA vaccine seroresponse were higher in MenACYW-TT vs. MCV4-TT for all serogroups. For serogroup C, higher GMTs were observed in both MenC-naïve or -primed participants vaccinated with MenACYW-TT vs. MCV4-TT. Seroprotection and seroresponse were higher in MenC-naïve participants vaccinated with MenACYW-TT vs. MCV4-TT and comparable in MenC-primed. The safety profiles were comparable between groups and no new safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS These data support the concomitant administration of MenACYW-TT with 9vHPV and Tdap-IPV vaccines in adolescents. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04490018; EudraCT: 2020-001665-37; WHO: U1111-1249-2973.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Díez-Domingo
- Vaccine Research Department, FISABIO, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Giancarlo Icardi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa-Hygiene Unit, San Martino Policlinico Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chan Poh Chong
- Department of Paediatrics, KTP-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Céline Zocchetti
- Isabelle Betrand-Gerentes, Global Medical, Sanofi Vaccines, 14 Espa. Henry Vallée, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Olga Syrkina
- Patient Safety and Pharmacovigilance, Sanofi R&D, Cambridge, USA
| | - Siham Bchir
- Global Biostatistical Sciences, Sanofi Vaccines, Marcy L'Étoile, France
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Gonzales Y Tucker RD, Addepalli A. Fever and Rash. Emerg Med Clin North Am 2024; 42:303-334. [PMID: 38641393 DOI: 10.1016/j.emc.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Infectious causes of fever and rash pose a diagnostic challenge for the emergency provider. It is often difficult to discern rashes associated with rapidly progressive and life-threatening infections from benign exanthems, which comprise the majority of rashes seen in the emergency department. Physicians must also consider serious noninfectious causes of fever and rash. A correct diagnosis depends on an exhaustive history and head-to-toe skin examination as most emergent causes of fever and rash remain clinical diagnoses. A provisional diagnosis and immediate treatment with antimicrobials and supportive care are usually required prior to the return of confirmatory laboratory testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Diego Gonzales Y Tucker
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Box 0209, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Alameda Health System - Wilma Chan Highland Hospital, 1411 E 31st Street, Oakland, CA 94602, USA.
| | - Aravind Addepalli
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Box 0209, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Bettencourt C, Nunes A, Nogueira P, Duarte S, Silva C, Gomes JP, Simões MJ. Epidemiology and genetic diversity of invasive Neisseria meningitidis strains circulating in Portugal from 2003 to 2020. Int Microbiol 2023:10.1007/s10123-023-00463-w. [PMID: 38057459 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00463-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) continues to be a public health problem due to its epidemic potential, affecting mostly children. We aimed to present a detailed description of the epidemiology of IMD in Portugal, including insights into the genetic diversity of Neisseria meningitidis strains. Epidemiological analysis included data from the Portuguese National Reference Laboratory of Neisseria meningitidis during 2003 to 2020. Since 2012, N. meningitidis isolates have also been assessed for their susceptibility to antibiotics and were characterized by whole genome sequencing. During 2003-2020, 1392 confirmed cases of IMD were analyzed. A decrease in the annual incidence rate was observed, ranging from 1.99 (2003) to 0.39 (2020), with an average case fatality rate of 7.1%. Serogroup B was the most frequent (69.7%), followed by serogroups C (9.7%), Y (5.7%), and W (2.6%). Genomic characterization of 329 isolates identified 20 clonal complexes (cc), with the most prevalent belonging to serogroup B cc41/44 (26.3%) and cc213 (16.3%). Isolates belonging to cc11 were predominantly from serogroups W (77.3%) and C (76.5%), whereas cc23 was dominant from serogroup Y (65.7%). Over the past 4 years (2017-2020), we observed an increasing trend of cases assigned to cc213, cc32, and cc11. Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility, all isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and 61.8% were penicillin-nonsusceptible, whereas 1.4% and 1.0% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and rifampicin. This is the first detailed study on the epidemiology and genomics of invasive N. meningitidis infections in Portugal, providing relevant data to public health policy makers for a more effective control of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Bettencourt
- National Reference Laboratory for Neisseria Meningitidis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Alexandra Nunes
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo Nogueira
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, NOVA University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sílvia Duarte
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Silva
- Innovation and Technology Unit, Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Paulo Gomes
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre (CECAV), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Simões
- National Reference Laboratory for Neisseria Meningitidis, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Lisbon, Portugal
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Hadley L, Karachaliou Prasinou A, Christensen H, Ramsay M, Trotter C. Modelling the impact of COVID-19 and routine MenACWY vaccination on meningococcal carriage and disease in the UK. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e98. [PMID: 37259803 PMCID: PMC10284610 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823000870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Country-wide social distancing and suspension of non-emergency medical care due to the COVID-19 pandemic will undoubtedly have affected public health in multiple ways. While non-pharmaceutical interventions are expected to reduce the transmission of several infectious diseases, severe disruptions to healthcare systems have hampered diagnosis, treatment, and routine vaccination. We examined the effect of this disruption on meningococcal disease and vaccination in the UK. By adapting an existing mathematical model for meningococcal carriage, we addressed the following questions: What is the predicted impact of the existing MenACWY adolescent vaccination programme? What effect might social distancing and reduced vaccine uptake both have on future epidemiology? Will catch-up vaccination campaigns be necessary? Our model indicated that the MenACWY vaccine programme was generating substantial indirect protection and suppressing transmission by 2020. COVID-19 social distancing is expected to have accelerated this decline, causing significant long-lasting reductions in both carriage prevalence of meningococcal A/C/W/Y strains and incidence of invasive meningococcal disease. In all scenarios modelled, pandemic social mixing effects outweighed potential reductions in vaccine uptake, causing an overall decline in carriage prevalence from 2020 for at least 5 years. Model outputs show strong consistency with recently published case data for England.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza Hadley
- Disease Dynamics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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The source of carbon and nitrogen differentially affects the survival of Neisseria meningitidis in macrophages and epithelial cells. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:404. [PMID: 35723778 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03037-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a commensal of human nasopharynx which under certain unidentified conditions could lead to fulminant meningitis or sepsis. Availability of nutrients is essential for bacterial growth and virulence. The metabolic adaptations allow N. meningitidis to utilize host resources, colonize and cause virulence functions which are a crucial for the invasive infection. During colonization meningococci encounters a range of microenvironments involving fluctuations in the availability of carbon and nitrogen source. Therefore, the characterization of virulence factors of N. meningitidis under different microenvironmental conditions is a prime requisite to understand pathogenesis; however, the role of nutrients is not well understood. Here, we explore the expression of virulence phenotype leading to symptomatic behaviour as affected by available carbon and nitrogen sources. We evaluate the effect of carbon or nitrogen source on growth, adhesion to epithelial cells, macrophage infectivity, capsule formation and virulence gene expression of N. meningitidis. It was found that lactate, pyruvate, and acetate facilitate survival of N. meningitidis in macrophages. While in epithelial cells, the survival of N. meningitidis is negatively affected by the presence of lactate and pyruvate.
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Chang CM, Awanye AM, Marsay L, Dold C, Pollard AJ, Rollier CS, Feavers IM, Maiden MC, Derrick JP. Application of a Neisseria meningitidis antigen microarray to identify candidate vaccine proteins from a human Phase I clinical trial. Vaccine 2022; 40:3835-3842. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Whaley MJ, Vuong JT, Topaz N, Chang HY, Thomas JD, Jenkins LT, Hu F, Schmink S, Steward-Clark E, Mathis M, Rodriguez-Rivera LD, Retchless AC, Joseph SJ, Chen A, Acosta AM, McNamara L, Soeters HM, Mbaeyi S, Marjuki H, Wang X. Genomic Insights on Variation Underlying Capsule Expression in Meningococcal Carriage Isolates From University Students, United States, 2015-2016. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:815044. [PMID: 35250931 PMCID: PMC8893959 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.815044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In January and February 2015, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) outbreaks occurred at two universities in the United States, and mass vaccination campaigns using MenB vaccines were initiated as part of a public health response. Meningococcal carriage evaluations were conducted concurrently with vaccination campaigns at these two universities and at a third university, where no NmB outbreak occurred. Meningococcal isolates (N = 1,514) obtained from these evaluations were characterized for capsule biosynthesis by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Functional capsule polysaccharide synthesis (cps) loci belonging to one of seven capsule genogroups (B, C, E, W, X, Y, and Z) were identified in 122 isolates (8.1%). Approximately half [732 (48.4%)] of isolates could not be genogrouped because of the lack of any serogroup-specific genes. The remaining 660 isolates (43.5%) contained serogroup-specific genes for genogroup B, C, E, W, X, Y, or Z, but had mutations in the cps loci. Identified mutations included frameshift or point mutations resulting in premature stop codons, missing or fragmented genes, or disruptions due to insertion elements. Despite these mutations, 49/660 isolates expressed capsule as observed with slide agglutination, whereas 45/122 isolates with functional cps loci did not express capsule. Neither the variable capsule expression nor the genetic variation in the cps locus was limited to a certain clonal complex, except for capsule null isolates (predominantly clonal complex 198). Most of the meningococcal carriage isolates collected from student populations at three US universities were non-groupable as a result of either being capsule null or containing mutations within the capsule locus. Several mutations inhibiting expression of the genes involved with the synthesis and transport of the capsule may be reversible, allowing the bacteria to switch between an encapsulated and non-encapsulated state. These findings are particularly important as carriage is an important component of the transmission cycle of the pathogen, and understanding the impact of genetic variations on the synthesis of capsule, a meningococcal vaccine target and an important virulence factor, may ultimately inform strategies for control and prevention of disease caused by this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J. Whaley
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jeni T. Vuong
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Nadav Topaz
- CDC Foundation Field Employee assigned to the Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - How-Yi Chang
- IHRC Inc., Contractor to Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jennifer Dolan Thomas
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Laurel T. Jenkins
- IHRC Inc., Contractor to Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Fang Hu
- IHRC Inc., Contractor to Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Susanna Schmink
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Evelene Steward-Clark
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Marsenia Mathis
- IHRC Inc., Contractor to Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lorraine D. Rodriguez-Rivera
- IHRC Inc., Contractor to Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Adam C. Retchless
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sandeep J. Joseph
- IHRC Inc., Contractor to Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Alexander Chen
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Anna M. Acosta
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lucy McNamara
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Heidi M. Soeters
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sarah Mbaeyi
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Henju Marjuki
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Lemos APSD, Gorla MCO, de Moraes C, Willemann MC, Sacchi CT, Fukasawa LO, Camargo CH, Barreto G, Rodrigues DS, Gonçalves MG, Higa FT, Salgado MM, de Moraes JC. Emergence of Neisseria meningitidis W South American sublineage strain variant in Brazil: disease and carriage. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35144719 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Invasive meningococcal disease is a major health problem, impacting morbidity and mortality worldwide. Exploratory genomics has revealed insights into adaptation, transmissibility and virulence to elucidate endemic, outbreaks or epidemics caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (MenW) strains.Gap Statement. Limited information on the genomics of Neisseria meningitis serogroup W ST11/cc11 is available from emerging countries, especially in contemporary isolates.Aim. To (i) describe the antigenic diversity and distribution of genetic lineages of N. meningitidis serogroup W circulating in Brazil; (ii) study the carriage prevalence of hypervirulent clones in adolescents students and (iii) analyse the potential risk factors for meningococcal carriage.Methodology. Using whole-genome sequencing, we analysed the genomic diversity of 92 invasive N. meningitidis serogroup W isolates circulating in Brazil from 2016 to 2019. A cross-sectional survey of meningococcal carriage was conducted in 2019, in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil, among a representative sample of 538 students.Results. A predominance (58.5 %, 41/82) of ST11/cc11 presenting PorB2-144, PorA VR1-5, VR2-2, FetA 1-1, and a novel fHbp peptide 1241 was found on invasive N. meningitidis W isolates, on the other hand, a high diversity of clonal complexes was found among carriage isolates. The overall carriage rate was 7.5 % (40/538). A total of 28 of 538 swab samples collected were culture positive for N. meningitidis, including four serogroup/genogroup B isolates (14.8 %;4/27), 1 serogroup/genogroup Y isolate (3.7 %;1/27), 22 (81.5 %; 22/27) non-groupable isolates. No MenW isolate was identified among carriages isolates.Conclusion. This report describes the emergence of the new MenW ST11/cc11 South America sublineage variant, named here, 2016 strain, carrying a novel fHbp peptide 1241, but its emergence, was not associated with an increased MenW carriage prevalence. Continuous surveillance is necessary to ascertain the role of this sublineage diversification and how its emergence can impact transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Camile de Moraes
- Coordenação Geral de Emergências em Saúde Pública, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Gisele Barreto
- Vigilância Epidemiológica de Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Sharma A, Alajangi HK, Pisignano G, Sood V, Singh G, Barnwal RP. RNA thermometers and other regulatory elements: Diversity and importance in bacterial pathogenesis. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2022; 13:e1711. [PMID: 35037405 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Survival of microorganisms depends to a large extent on environmental conditions and the occupied host. By adopting specific strategies, microorganisms can thrive in the surrounding environment and, at the same time, preserve their viability. Evading the host defenses requires several mechanisms compatible with the host survival which include the production of RNA thermometers to regulate the expression of genes responsible for heat or cold shock as well as of those involved in virulence. Microorganisms have developed a variety of molecules in response to the environmental changes in temperature and even more specifically to the host they invade. Among all, RNA-based regulatory mechanisms are the most common ones, highlighting the importance of such molecules in gene expression control and novel drug development by suitable structure-based alterations. This article is categorized under: RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.,University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Hema Kumari Alajangi
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.,University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Vikas Sood
- Department of Biochemistry, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Gurpal Singh
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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Paudel S, Wachira J, McCarthy PC. Towards Computationally Guided Design and Engineering of a Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup W Capsule Polymerase with Altered Substrate Specificity. Processes (Basel) 2021; 9:2192. [PMID: 37483532 PMCID: PMC10361700 DOI: 10.3390/pr9122192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination of drinking water is a public health concern that requires the development of more efficient bioremediation techniques. Absorption technologies, including biosorption, provide opportunities for improvements to increase the diversity of target metal ions and overall binding capacity. Microorganisms are a key component in wastewater treatment plants, and they naturally bind metal ions through surface macromolecules but with limited capacity. The long-term goal of this work is to engineer capsule polymerases to synthesize molecules with novel functionalities. In previously published work, we showed that the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (NmW) galactose-sialic acid (Gal-NeuNAc) heteropolysaccharide binds lead ions effectively, thereby demonstrating the potential for its use in environmental decontamination applications. In this study, computational analysis of the NmW capsule polymerase galactosyltransferase (GT) domain was used to gain insight into how the enzyme could be modified to enable the synthesis of N-acetylgalactosamine-sialic acid (GalNAc-NeuNAc) heteropolysaccharide. Various computational approaches, including molecular modeling with I-TASSER and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with NAMD, were utilized to identify key amino acid residues in the substrate binding pocket of the GT domain that may be key to conferring UDP-GalNAc specificity. Through these combined strategies and using BshA, a UDP-GlcNAc transferase, as a structural template, several NmW active site residues were identified as mutational targets to accommodate the proposed N-acetyl group in UDP-GalNAc. Thus, a rational approach for potentially conferring new properties to bacterial capsular polysaccharides is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadra Paudel
- Department of Computer Science, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
| | - James Wachira
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
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McMillan M, Marshall HS, Richmond P. 4CMenB vaccine and its role in preventing transmission and inducing herd immunity. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 21:103-114. [PMID: 34747302 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2003708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Vaccination is the most effective method of protecting people from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Of all the capsular groups, B is the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease in many parts of the world. Despite this, adolescent meningococcal B vaccine programs have not been implemented globally, partly due to the lack of evidence for herd immunity afforded by meningococcal B vaccines. AREAS COVERED This review aims to synthesise the available evidence on recombinant 4CMenB vaccines' ability to reduce pharyngeal carriage and therefore provide indirect (herd) immunity against IMD. EXPERT OPINION There is some evidence that the 4CMenB vaccine may induce cross-protection against non-B carriage of meningococci. However, the overall body of evidence does not support a clinically significant reduction in carriage of disease-associated or group B meningococci following 4CMenB vaccination. No additional cost-benefit from herd immunity effects should be included when modelling the cost-effectiveness of 4CMenB vaccine programs against group B IMD. 4CMenB immunisation programs should focus on direct (individual) protection for groups at greatest risk of meningococcal disease. Future meningococcal B and combination vaccines being developed should consider the impact of the vaccine on carriage as part of their clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark McMillan
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Helen S Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Richmond
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Department of General Paediatrics and Immunology, Perth Children's Hospital.,Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kid's Institute, Perth, Western Australia
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12
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Chen See J, Ly T, Shope A, Bess J, Wall A, Komanduri S, Goldman J, Anderson S, McLimans CJ, Brislawn CJ, Tokarev V, Wright JR, Lamendella R. A Metatranscriptomics Survey of Microbial Diversity on Surfaces Post-Intervention of cleanSURFACES® Technology in an Intensive Care Unit. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:705593. [PMID: 34354962 PMCID: PMC8330600 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.705593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) pose a serious threat to patients, and hospitals spend billions of dollars each year to reduce and treat these infections. Many HAIs are due to contamination from workers’ hands and contact with high-touch surfaces. Therefore, we set out to test the efficacy of a new preventative technology, AIONX® Antimicrobial Technologies, Inc’s cleanSURFACES®, which is designed to complement daily chemical cleaning events by continuously preventing re-colonization of surfaces. To that end, we swabbed surfaces before (Baseline) and after (Post) application of the cleanSURFACES® at various time points (Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, and Day 28). To circumvent limitations associated with culture-based and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing methodologies, these surface swabs were processed using metatranscriptomic (RNA) analysis to allow for comprehensive taxonomic resolution and the detection of active microorganisms. Overall, there was a significant (P < 0.05) global reduction of microbial diversity in Post-intervention samples. Additionally, Post sample microbial communities clustered together much more closely than Baseline samples based on pairwise distances calculated with the weighted Jaccard distance metric, suggesting a defined shift after product application. This shift was characterized by a general depletion of several microbes among Post samples, with multiple phyla also being reduced over the duration of the study. Notably, specific clinically relevant microbes, including Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridioides difficile and Streptococcus spp., were depleted Post-intervention. Taken together, these findings suggest that chemical cleaning events used jointly with cleanSURFACES® have the potential to reduce colonization of surfaces by a wide variety of microbes, including many clinically relevant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Chen See
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States
| | - Truc Ly
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States
| | - Alexander Shope
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States.,AIONX, Hershey, PA, United States
| | | | - Art Wall
- Nextflex, San Jose, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Samantha Anderson
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States.,Department of Biology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA, United States
| | - Christopher J McLimans
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States.,Department of Biology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA, United States
| | - Colin J Brislawn
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States
| | - Vasily Tokarev
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States.,Department of Biology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA, United States
| | - Justin R Wright
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States
| | - Regina Lamendella
- Contamination Source Identification, Huntingdon, PA, United States.,Department of Biology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA, United States
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13
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Farmen K, Tofiño-Vian M, Iovino F. Neuronal Damage and Neuroinflammation, a Bridge Between Bacterial Meningitis and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:680858. [PMID: 34149363 PMCID: PMC8209290 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.680858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges which covers and protects the brain and the spinal cord. Such inflammation is mostly caused by blood-borne bacteria that cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and finally invade the brain parenchyma. Pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae are the main etiological causes of bacterial meningitis. After trafficking across the BBB, bacterial pathogens in the brain interact with neurons, the fundamental units of Central Nervous System, and other types of glial cells. Although the specific molecular mechanism behind the interaction between such pathogens with neurons is still under investigation, it is clear that bacterial interaction with neurons and neuroinflammatory responses within the brain leads to neuronal cell death. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown indications of meningitis-caused dementia; and a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease are characterized by the loss of neurons, which, unlike many other eukaryotic cells, once dead or damaged, they are seldom replaced. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of the knowledge on how bacterial pathogens in the brain damage neurons through direct and indirect interactions, and how the neuronal damage caused by bacterial pathogen can, in the long-term, influence the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Federico Iovino
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet Biomedicum, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Gonçalves P, Sáez-López E, Carneiro S, Simões MJ. Seroprevalence of meningococcal serogroup C bactericidal antibodies in the Portuguese population, a decade after vaccine introduction in the National Immunisation Programme. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250103. [PMID: 33857245 PMCID: PMC8049472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of invasive meningococcal disease due to serogroup C (MenC) decreased in Portugal since the introduction of the conjugate vaccine (MCC) in the free market in 2001 and in the National Immunisation Plan in 2006. Considering the potential waning of the antibody response reported in the literature, the different vaccination schemes that were used in our country over the past decade, and that Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C continues to circulate, the Portuguese population may currently be at increased risk of infection. In the absence of national data, we evaluated the seroprotection level of the Portuguese population against MenC, in order to identify the protected fraction of the population and ponder on the necessity of a booster dose of the MCC vaccine. Methods We measured serum bactericidal antibody levels against MenC in a representative sample of the population (n = 1500) aged 2–64 years who participated in the 2015/2016 National Serological Survey. Results A total of 31.1% (466/1500, 95%CI: 29–33%) of the individuals studied were protected against MenC. The geometric mean titre was 6.5. The proportion of seroprotected was particularly low in children aged 2–4 years (<16%) who received a single dose of the vaccine at 12 months of age (vaccination strategy since 2012). The proportion of seroprotected was higher (44.7% to 53.5%) in adolescent and young adults (15–24 years of age), resulting from vaccination during the catch-up campaign at 5–15 years of age. The highest protection rates were observed when the vaccine was administered during adolescence. Conclusion The small fraction of population seroprotected, combined with the already known waning effect of the antibody response over time, may indicate that the Portuguese population will become progressively more exposed to the risk of infection. Taking in consideration our results, we recommend to change the current vaccination strategy and introduce a booster dose of the MCC vaccine during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Gonçalves
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
- European Programme for Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Emma Sáez-López
- European Programme for Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sofia Carneiro
- National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
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15
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Bartling B, Brüchle NC, Rehfeld JS, Boßmann D, Fiebig T, Litschko C, Fohrer J, Gerardy-Schahn R, Scheper T, Beutel S. Accelerated production of α2,8- and α2,9-linked polysialic acid in recombinant Escherichia coli using high cell density cultivation. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 28:e00562. [PMID: 33304838 PMCID: PMC7711218 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Polysialic acid (polySia) are α2,8- and/or α2,9-linked homopolymers with interesting properties for meningococcal vaccine development or the cure of human neurodegenerative disorders. With the goal to avoid large scale production of pathogenic bacteria, we compare in the current study the efficacy of conventional polySia production to recombinant approaches using the engineered laboratory safety strain E. coli BL21. High cell density cultivation (HCDC) experiments were performed in two different bioreactor systems. Increased cell densities of up to 11.3 (±0.4) g/L and polySia concentrations of up to 774 (±18) mg/L were reached in E. coli K1. However, cultivation of engineered E. coli BL21 strains delivered comparable cell densities but a maximum of only 133 mg/L polySia. Using established downstream procedures, host cell DNA and proteins were removed. All recombinant polySia products showed an identical degree of polymerization >90. Polymers with different glycosidic linkages could be successfully differentiated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Bartling
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Nora C. Brüchle
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Johanna S. Rehfeld
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Boßmann
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Timm Fiebig
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christa Litschko
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jörg Fohrer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Rita Gerardy-Schahn
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Scheper
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sascha Beutel
- Institute of Technical Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
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16
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Afrough P, Asadi Karam MR, Vaziri F, Behrouzi A, Siadat SD. Construction and assessment of the immunogenicity and bactericidal activity of fusion protein porin A from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A and B admixed with OMV adjuvant as a novel vaccine candidate. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2020; 23:737-743. [PMID: 32695289 PMCID: PMC7351441 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2020.40470.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Objectives The porins A and B and also outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of Neisseria meningitidis are used for vaccine purposes. In the present study, we aimed to design a new vaccine candidate based on a fusion of PorA of serogroups A and B of N. meningitidis admixed with OMV and evaluate it in an animal model. Materials and Methods After bioinformatic studies, a fusion protein composed of porin A from both serogroups A and B of N. meningitidis was constructed, expressed, and purified by nickel resins. Extraction of OMV of N. meningitidis was performed using a chemical method. The mice were vaccinated subcutaneously in different groups with mixtures of PorA proteins, OMV, and Freund's adjuvants. Then, the immune responses were measured using the ELISA method. Finally, serum bactericidal activity (SBA) procedure was applied to assay the activity of the immune responses in mice. Results Mice received the PorA protein plus Freund's adjuvant. Mice vaccinated with PorA fusion of serogroups A+B plus Freund's adjuvant produced more IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a than combinations admixed with OMV. Furthermore, the vaccinated mice tended to direct the IgG responses toward IgG1. Sera of the mice that received PorA+Freund's and those that received PorA+OMV produced higher bactericidal activity than the controls. Conclusion Fusion protein porin A could be a valuable target for developing vaccines against N. meningitidis. Although, Freund's adjuvant induced the strongest IgG responses, given that Freund's adjuvant has no human use, and OMV is a human adjuvant, OMV could be considered in vaccine design against N. meningitidis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parviz Afrough
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Farzam Vaziri
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ava Behrouzi
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Davar Siadat
- Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Lung abscess due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X-unexpected virulence of a commensal resulting from putative serogroup B capsular switching. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 39:2327-2334. [PMID: 32666483 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-03977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To report the first case of a lung abscess caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) and to genetically characterize the rare underlying capsule switching event. The strain (PT NmX) was subjected to whole genome sequencing, and a comparative gene-by-gene analysis was performed based on 1605 N. meningitidis core loci that constitute the MLST core-genome scheme (cgMLST) V1.0. All ~ 9,600 genomes available on Neisseria PubMLST (until 30th November 2019) from all serogroups were used to better identify the genome make-up of the PT NmX strain. This strain was found to be highly divergent from other NmX reported worldwide and to belong to a new sequence type (ST-14273), with the finetype X: P1.19,15-1:F5-2. Moreover, it revealed a closer genetic proximity to strains from serogroup B than to other serogroups, suggesting a genome backbone associated with serogroup B, while it presents a capsule synthesis region derived from a NmX strain. We describe a new hybrid NmB/X isolate from a noninvasive meningococcal infection, causing lung abscess. Despite capsular switching events involving serogroup X are rare, it may lead to the emergence of pathogenic potential. Studies should continue to better understand the molecular basis underlying Neisseria strains' ability to spread to body compartments other than the tissues for which their tropism is already known.
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18
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Maleki A, Mirnaseri Z, Kouhsari E, Taherikalani M, Pakzad I, Mohammadi J, Sadeghifard N. Asymptomatic carriers of Neisseria meningitidis and Moraxella catarrhalis in healthy children. New Microbes New Infect 2020; 36:100691. [PMID: 32514361 PMCID: PMC7267740 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a close correlation between asymptomatic oropharyngeal colonization by bacterial pathogens and paediatric respiratory diseases. Evaluation of the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of Neisseria meningitidis and Moraxella catarrhalis in healthy children was the main aim of the current study. In this cross-sectional study, 123 oropharyngeal swabs were collected from children between 2 and 6 years old in kindergartens of Ilam, Iran. Moraxella catarrhalis and N. meningitidis were identified using phenotypic and genotypic assays. In addition, the occurrence of the virulence factors (ctrA and uspA1) and iron uptake (tbpA) genes was evaluated by PCR. Results showed that 21 M. catarrhalis isolates and 17 N. meningitidis isolates were identified by conventional microbiological and biochemical methods, but the RT-PCR assay detected that 18 and 8 isolates were positive for M. catarrhalis and N. meningitidis, respectively. The tbpA gene was positive in all N. meningitidis and M. catarrhalis isolates. Seven isolates were positive for the ctrA gene in N. meningitidis and seven isolates were positive for the uspA1 gene in M. catarrhalis. These pathogenic bacteria often occurred as asymptomatic carriage of N. meningitidis in children from large families with low economic status, which reflects the importance of the environment and socio-economic level of families in the distribution of these potentially pathogenic bacteria in the oropharynx of children. Monitoring for the carriage of potential pathogenic bacteria in the nasopharynx of healthy children is important as this can predispose to infectious diseases; common exposure to human respiratory bacterial pathogens is a further risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Maleki
- Clinical Microbiology Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Z. Mirnaseri
- Clinical Microbiology Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - E. Kouhsari
- Clinical Microbiology Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - M. Taherikalani
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Centre & Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - I. Pakzad
- Clinical Microbiology Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - J. Mohammadi
- Clinical Microbiology Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - N. Sadeghifard
- Clinical Microbiology Research Centre, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
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19
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Thibau A, Dichter AA, Vaca DJ, Linke D, Goldman A, Kempf VAJ. Immunogenicity of trimeric autotransporter adhesins and their potential as vaccine targets. Med Microbiol Immunol 2020; 209:243-263. [PMID: 31788746 PMCID: PMC7247748 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-019-00649-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The current problem of increasing antibiotic resistance and the resurgence of numerous infections indicate the need for novel vaccination strategies more than ever. In vaccine development, the search for and the selection of adequate vaccine antigens is the first important step. In recent years, bacterial outer membrane proteins have become of major interest, as they are the main proteins interacting with the extracellular environment. Trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAAs) are important virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria, are localised on the bacterial surface, and mediate the first adherence to host cells in the course of infection. One example is the Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), which is currently used as a subunit in a licensed vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis. Other TAAs that seem promising vaccine candidates are the Acinetobacter trimeric autotransporter (Ata), the Haemophilus influenzae adhesin (Hia), and TAAs of the genus Bartonella. Here, we review the suitability of various TAAs as vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno Thibau
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander A. Dichter
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Diana J. Vaca
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dirk Linke
- Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adrian Goldman
- Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Volkhard A. J. Kempf
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital, Goethe-University, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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20
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Portilho AI, Trzewikoswki de Lima G, De Gaspari E. Neisseria meningitidis: analysis of pili and LPS in emerging Brazilian strains. Ther Adv Vaccines Immunother 2020; 8:2515135520919195. [PMID: 32435751 PMCID: PMC7225800 DOI: 10.1177/2515135520919195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neisseria meningitidis is the main cause of bacterial meningitis in Brazil, where the main serogroups isolated are B and C; however, the serogroup W has recently emerged. LPS and type IV pili are important virulence factors that increase meningococci pathogenicity. METHODS The characterization of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and type IV pili in 19 meningococci strains of serogroup B, 21 of serogroup C, 45 of serogroup W and 28 of serogroup Y, isolated in Brazil between 2011 and 2017, was conducted using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (Dot- ELISA) technique and monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS We would like to emphasize the importance of characterizing relevant antigens, such as pili and LPS, the use of monoclonal antibodies to support it, and how such studies improve vaccine development and monitoring. Most of the strains studied presented L3,7,9 LPS and type IV pili; both antigens are associated with the capacity to cause invasive disease. CONCLUSION Due to the impact of meningococcal disease, it is important to maintain and improve vaccine studies. Epitopes characterization provides data about the virulence of circulating strains. The use of monoclonal antibodies and serological techniques are relevant and support vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Izeli Portilho
- Departament of Immunology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, Brazil Post-Graduate Program Interunity in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Trzewikoswki de Lima
- Departament of Immunology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, São Paulo, Brazil Post-Graduate Program Interunity in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth De Gaspari
- Departament of Immunology, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Dr Arnaldo Avenue 355, 11 floor, São Paulo, SP 01246-902, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program Interunity in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil
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21
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Joseph SJ, Topaz N, Chang HY, Whaley MJ, Vuong JT, Chen A, Hu F, Schmink SE, Jenkins LT, Rodriguez-Rivera LD, Thomas JD, Acosta AM, McNamara L, Soeters HM, Mbaeyi S, Wang X. Insights on Population Structure and Within-Host Genetic Changes among Meningococcal Carriage Isolates from U.S. Universities. mSphere 2020; 5:e00197-20. [PMID: 32269159 PMCID: PMC7142301 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00197-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2015 and 2016, meningococcal carriage evaluations were conducted at two universities in the United States following mass vaccination campaigns in response to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) disease outbreaks. A simultaneous carriage evaluation was also conducted at a university near one of the outbreaks, where no NmB cases were reported and no mass vaccination occurred. A total of ten cross-sectional carriage evaluation rounds were conducted, resulting in 1,514 meningococcal carriage isolates collected from 7,001 unique participants; 1,587 individuals were swabbed at multiple time points (repeat participants). All isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing. The most frequently observed clonal complexes (CC) were CC198 (27.3%), followed by CC1157 (17.4%), CC41/44 (9.8%), CC35 (7.4%), and CC32 (5.6%). Phylogenetic analysis identified carriage isolates that were highly similar to the NmB outbreak strains; comparative genomics between these outbreak and carriage isolates revealed genetic changes in virulence genes. Among repeat participants, 348 individuals carried meningococcal bacteria during at least one carriage evaluation round; 50.3% retained N. meningitidis carriage of a strain with the same sequence type (ST) and CC across rounds, 44.3% only carried N. meningitidis in one round, and 5.4% acquired a new N. meningitidis strain between rounds. Recombination, point mutations, deletions, and simple sequence repeats were the most frequent genetic mechanisms found in isolates collected from hosts carrying a strain of the same ST and CC across rounds. Our findings provide insight on the dynamics of meningococcal carriage among a population that is at higher risk for invasive meningococcal disease than the general population.IMPORTANCE U.S. university students are at a higher risk of invasive meningococcal disease than the general population. The responsible pathogen, Neisseria meningitidis, can be carried asymptomatically in the oropharynx; the dynamics of meningococcal carriage and the genetic features that distinguish carriage versus disease states are not completely understood. Through our analyses, we aimed to provide data to address these topics. We whole-genome sequenced 1,514 meningococcal carriage isolates from individuals at three U.S. universities, two of which underwent mass vaccination campaigns following recent meningococcal outbreaks. We describe the within-host genetic changes among individuals carrying a strain with the same molecular type over time, the primary strains being carried in this population, and the genetic differences between closely related outbreak and carriage strains. Our results provide detailed information on the dynamics of meningococcal carriage and the genetic differences in carriage and outbreak strains, which can inform future efforts to reduce the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Melissa J Whaley
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jeni T Vuong
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Alexander Chen
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Fang Hu
- IHRC Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Susanna E Schmink
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Laurel T Jenkins
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Anna M Acosta
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lucy McNamara
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Heidi M Soeters
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sarah Mbaeyi
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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22
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Azevedo AC, Franco NEC, de Carvalho Rocha MR, Andrade C, Torres MC, de Filippis I. Molecular surveillance of brazilian meningococcal isolates serogroup c in the pre and post-men-c-vaccination period: Emergence of ST-3780. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 78:104079. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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23
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Gorla MC, Brandao AP, Pinhata JMW, de Moraes C, Pereira G, Lemos AP. Phenotypic characterization of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from invasive meningococcal disease in Brazil from 2002 to 2017. Access Microbiol 2019; 2:acmi000079. [PMID: 33062938 PMCID: PMC7525054 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a high rate of fatality and may cause severe clinical sequelae. Over the years, the epidemiology of IMD has changed significantly in various regions of the world, and laboratory surveillance of this disease is important for mapping epidemiologic changes. Aim To perform phenotypic characterization of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from invasive disease in Brazil from 2002 to 2017, as a complementation of the data obtained in the period of 1990-2001. Methodology In total, 8,689 isolates sent to Adolfo Lutz Institute confirmed as N. meningitidis by conventional methods were serogrouped by slide agglutination against MenA, MenB, MenC, MenE, MenW, MenX, MenY and MenZ; serotyped and serosubtyped by a whole-cell dot-blotting assay with monoclonal antibodies. Results The isolates were sent from all regions of Brazil, and the southeast region was responsible for the largest number of isolates (57.2 %). Overall, the total sample (n=8,689) was represented by serogroups C (n=4,729; 54.4 %), B (n=3,313; 38.1 %), W (n=423; 4.9 %), Y (n=203; 2.3 %), X (n=5; 0.1 %) and others (n=16; 0.2 %). A shift in the prevalence of serogroups was observed in 2006, when serogroup C became the most prevalent (65.5 %), surpassing the serogroup B (21.9 %). The main isolated phenotypes were C:23:P1.14-6; B:4,7:P1.19,15; W:2a:P1.5 and W:2a:P1.5,2. Conclusion The data show an important change in the distribution of meningococcal serogroups, serotypes and subtypes occurring during 2002-2017. A continuous laboratory-based surveillance provides robust information to implement appropriate strategies to IMD control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cecília Gorla
- Bacteriology Department, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 351, São Paulo, CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil
| | - Angela Pires Brandao
- Bacteriology Department, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 351, São Paulo, CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil.,Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21040-900, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Camile de Moraes
- Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco G, Brasília, CEP 70058-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Pereira
- General Coordination of Laboratories, Ministry of Health, Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco G, Brasília, CEP 70058-900, DF, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Lemos
- Bacteriology Department, Adolfo Lutz Institute, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 351, São Paulo, CEP 01246-000, SP, Brazil
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Caugant DA, Brynildsrud OB. Neisseria meningitidis: using genomics to understand diversity, evolution and pathogenesis. Nat Rev Microbiol 2019; 18:84-96. [PMID: 31705134 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-019-0282-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Meningococcal disease remains an important cause of morbidity and death worldwide despite the development and increasing implementation of effective vaccines. Elimination of the disease is hampered by the enormous diversity and antigenic variability of the causative agent, Neisseria meningitidis, one of the most variable bacteria in nature. These features are attained mainly through high rates of horizontal gene transfer and alteration of protein expression through phase variation. The recent availability of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of large-scale collections of N. meningitidis isolates from various origins, databases to facilitate storage and sharing of WGS data and the concomitant development of effective bioinformatics tools have led to a much more thorough understanding of the diversity of the species, its evolution and population structure and how virulent traits may emerge. Implementation of WGS is already contributing to enhanced epidemiological surveillance and is essential to ascertain the impact of vaccination strategies. This Review summarizes the recent advances provided by WGS studies in our understanding of the biology of N. meningitidis and the epidemiology of meningococcal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique A Caugant
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. .,Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ola B Brynildsrud
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Norwegian University of Life Science, Oslo, Norway
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW While acute bacterial meningitis is becoming less common in developed countries because of the widespread use of vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitides, and Haemophilus influenzae, bacterial meningitis still occurs worldwide, with peak incidence in young children and the elderly. Bacterial meningitis is usually lethal unless appropriate antibiotics that cross the blood-brain barrier are given. Clinical suspicion of bacterial meningitis begins when patients present with the abrupt onset of fever, headache, and meningismus. RECENT FINDINGS New technologies are being developed for more rapid identification of the bacterial species causing meningitis. When appropriate, administration of adjunctive dexamethasone with the antibiotics often lessens neurologic sequelae in survivors, which may include aphasia, ataxia, paresis, hearing loss, and cognitive impairment. SUMMARY Confirmation of the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis comes mainly from examination and culture of CSF obtained from a lumbar puncture. Typically, the CSF shows an elevated neutrophil count, elevated protein, depressed glucose, positive Gram stain, and growth of the bacteria on appropriate culture media. Antibiotic sensitivities of the bacteria determine the appropriate antibiotics, although an educated guess of the best antibiotics to be given promptly must be made until the antibiotic sensitivities return, usually in a few days.
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26
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Arifin SMN, Zimmer C, Trotter C, Colombini A, Sidikou F, LaForce FM, Cohen T, Yaesoubi R. Cost-Effectiveness of Alternative Uses of Polyvalent Meningococcal Vaccines in Niger: An Agent-Based Transmission Modeling Study. Med Decis Making 2019; 39:553-567. [PMID: 31268405 PMCID: PMC6786941 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x19859899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background. Despite the introduction of an effective serogroup A conjugate vaccine (MenAfriVac™), sporadic epidemics of other Neisseria meningitidis serogroups remain a concern in Africa. Polyvalent meningococcal conjugate (PMC) vaccines may offer alternatives to current strategies that rely on routine infant vaccination with MenAfriVac plus, in the event of an epidemic, district-specific reactive campaigns using polyvalent meningococcal polysaccharide (PMP) vaccines. Methods. We developed an agent-based transmission model of N. meningitidis in Niger to compare the health effects and costs of current vaccination practice and 3 alternatives. Each alternative replaces MenAfriVac in the infant vaccination series with PMC and either replaces PMP with PMC for reactive campaigns or implements a one-time catch up campaign with PMC for children and young adults. Results. Over a 28-year period, replacement of MenAfriVac with PMC in the infant immunization series and of PMP in reactive campaigns would avert 63% of expected cases (95% prediction interval 49%-75%) if elimination of serogroup A is not followed by serogroup replacement. At a PMC price of $4/dose, this would cost $1412 ($81-$3510) per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted. If serogroup replacement occurs, the cost-effectiveness of this strategy improves to $662 (cost-saving, $2473) per DALY averted. Sensitivity analyses accounting for incomplete laboratory confirmation suggest that a catch-up PMC campaign would also meet standard cost-effectiveness thresholds. Limitations. The assumption that polyvalent vaccines offer similar protection against all serogroups is simplifying. Conclusions. The use of PMC vaccines to replace MenAfriVac in routine infant immunization and in district-specific reactive campaigns would have important health benefits and is likely to be cost-effective in Niger. An additional PMC catch-up campaign would also be cost-effective if we account for incomplete laboratory reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Niaz Arifin
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Christoph Zimmer
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Caroline Trotter
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Fati Sidikou
- Centre de Recherche Medicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), Niamey, NE, Niger
| | | | - Ted Cohen
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Reza Yaesoubi
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Korzeniewski K, Konior M. Evaluation of Neisseria meningitidis Carriage with the Analysis of Serogroups, Genogroups and Clonal Complexes among Polish Soldiers. Pol J Microbiol 2019; 67:493-500. [PMID: 30550236 PMCID: PMC7256823 DOI: 10.21307/pjm-2018-058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is an etiological factor of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). This Gram-negative diplococcus is transmitted from person to person via droplets or through a direct physical contact with secretions of infected patients or asymptomatic carriers. The latter account for 5–10% of the general population. The aim of the study was to estimate the actual N. meningitidis carriage rate in the military environment with identification of serogroups, genogroups, sequence types and clonal complexes of the isolates detected among Polish soldiers. The study was conducted during winter seasons of 2015 and 2016 and involved 883 professional soldiers from the Armoured Brigade in Świętoszów, Poland. The material for testing were nasopharyngeal swabs obtained from study participants. The samples were tested using standard microbiological methods (culture, incubation, microscopy, biochemical and automated identification). N. meningitidis isolates were subjected to slide agglutination test (identification of serogroups), the bacterial DNA was extracted and allowed to determine genogroups, clonal complexes and sequence types. 76 soldiers were found to be carriers of N. meningitidis, they accounted for 8.6% of the study group. The meningococcal isolates mostly belonged to serogroup B. Sequence types ST-11439, ST-136, ST-1136 and the clonal complex 41/44CC were found to be predominant. Clonal complexes responsible for IMD were detected in 15.8% of carriers and 1.4% of the whole study participants. Carriage rates of N. meningitidis among Polish soldiers were found to be similar to those reported in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Korzeniewski
- Military Institute of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine , Warsaw , Poland
| | - Monika Konior
- Military Institute of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine , Warsaw , Poland
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Awanye AM, Chang CM, Wheeler JX, Chan H, Marsay L, Dold C, Rollier CS, Bird LE, Nettleship JE, Owens RJ, Pollard AJ, Derrick JP. Immunogenicity profiling of protein antigens from capsular group B Neisseria meningitidis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6843. [PMID: 31048732 PMCID: PMC6497663 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43139-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicle (OMV)- based vaccines have been used to provide strain-specific protection against capsular group B Neisseria meningitidis infections, but the full breadth of the immune response against the components of the OMV has not been established. Sera from adults vaccinated with an OMV vaccine were used to screen 91 outer membrane proteins (OMPs) incorporated in an antigen microarray panel. Antigen-specific IgG levels were quantified pre-vaccination, and after 12 and 18 weeks. These results were compared with IgG levels from mice vaccinated with the same OMV vaccine. The repertoires of highly responding antigens in humans and mice overlapped, but were not identical. The highest responding antigens to human IgG comprised four integral OMPs (PorA, PorB, OpcA and PilQ), a protein which promotes the stability of PorA and PorB (RmpM) and two lipoproteins (BamC and GNA1162). These observations will assist in evaluating the role of minor antigen components within OMVs in providing protection against meningococcal infection. In addition, the relative dominance of responses to integral OMPs in humans emphasizes the importance of this subclass and points to the value of maintaining conformational epitopes from integral membrane proteins in vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaka M Awanye
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Chun-Mien Chang
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jun X Wheeler
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Hannah Chan
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire, EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Leanne Marsay
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Christina Dold
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Christine S Rollier
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Louise E Bird
- Oxford Protein Production Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Joanne E Nettleship
- Oxford Protein Production Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Raymond J Owens
- Oxford Protein Production Facility, Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Jeremy P Derrick
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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Bannister SA, Kidd SP, Kirby E, Shah S, Thomas A, Vipond R, Elmore MJ, Telfer Brunton A, Marsh P, Green S, Silman NJ, Kempsell KE. Development and Assessment of a Diagnostic DNA Oligonucleotide Microarray for Detection and Typing of Meningitis-Associated Bacterial Species. High Throughput 2018; 7:ht7040032. [PMID: 30332776 PMCID: PMC6306750 DOI: 10.3390/ht7040032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningitis is commonly caused by infection with a variety of bacterial or viral pathogens. Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) can cause severe disease, which can progress rapidly to a critical life-threatening condition. Rapid diagnosis of ABM is critical, as this is most commonly associated with severe sequelae with associated high mortality and morbidity rates compared to viral meningitis, which is less severe and self-limiting. We have designed a microarray for detection and diagnosis of ABM. This has been validated using randomly amplified DNA targets (RADT), comparing buffers with or without formamide, in glass slide format or on the Alere ArrayTubeTM (Alere Technologies GmbH) microarray platform. Pathogen-specific signals were observed using purified bacterial nucleic acids and to a lesser extent using patient cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples, with some technical issues observed using RADT and glass slides. Repurposing the array onto the Alere ArrayTubeTM platform and using a targeted amplification system increased specific and reduced nonspecific hybridization signals using both pathogen nucleic and patient CSF DNA targets, better revealing pathogen-specific signals although sensitivity was still reduced in the latter. This diagnostic microarray is useful as a laboratory diagnostic tool for species and strain designation for ABM, rather than for primary diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen P Kidd
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK.
| | | | - Sonal Shah
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK.
| | - Anvy Thomas
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK.
| | - Richard Vipond
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK.
| | | | - Andrew Telfer Brunton
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, Penventinnie Lane, Treliske, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LQ, UK.
| | - Peter Marsh
- Public Health England Laboratory Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Steve Green
- Public Health England Laboratory Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.
| | - Nigel J Silman
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK.
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Coty JB, Vauthier C. Characterization of nanomedicines: A reflection on a field under construction needed for clinical translation success. J Control Release 2018; 275:254-268. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Siena E, Bodini M, Medini D. Interplay Between Virulence and Variability Factors as a Potential Driver of Invasive Meningococcal Disease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2018; 16:61-69. [PMID: 29686800 PMCID: PMC5910500 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is frequently found in the upper respiratory tract of the human population. Despite its prevalence as a commensal organism, Nm can occasionally invade the pharyngeal mucosal epithelium causing septicemia and life-threatening disease. A number of studies have tried to identify factors that are responsible for the onset of a virulent phenotype. Despite this however, we still miss clear causative elements. Several factors have been identified to be associated to an increased susceptibility to meningococcal disease in humans. None of them, however, could unambiguously discriminate healthy carrier from infected individuals. Similarly, comparative studies of virulent and apathogenic strains failed to identify virulence factors that could explain the emergence of the pathogenic phenotype. In line with this, a recent study of within host evolution found that Nm accumulates genomic changes during the asymptomatic carriage phase and that these are likely to contribute to the shift to a pathogenic phenotype. These results suggest that the presence of virulence factors in the meningococcal genome is not a sufficient condition for developing virulent traits, but is rather the ability to promote phenotypic variation, through the stochastic assortment of the repertoire of such factors, which could explain the occasional and unpredictable onset of IMD. Here, we present a series of argumentations supporting the hypothesis that invasive meningococcal disease comes as a result of the coexistence of bacterial virulence and variability factors in a plot that can be further complicated by additional latent factors, like host pre-existing immune status and genetic predisposition.
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Cordeiro SM, Cardoso CW, de Araújo LG, Ribeiro LE, Azevedo J, Silva RDCV, Dos Reis MG, Ko AI, Reis JN. Dissemination of the ST-103 clonal complex serogroup C meningococci in Salvador, Brazil. Microbes Infect 2018; 20:19-24. [PMID: 28962886 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major public health problem worldwide. An epidemic of serogroup C (NmC) IMD occurred in 2010 in the city of Salvador. In this study, we describe the antigenic and genetic characterization of meningococcal isolates collected from meningitis cases in Salvador from 2001 to 2012. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed for the analysis of IMD isolates. A total of 733 cases were identified, and the serogroup was determined for 391 (53.0%) of these. Most cases were caused by NmC (53%) or B (47%). The most prevalent strains were B:4,7:P1.19,15 (32.9%; 129/391) and C:23:P1.14-6 (28.6%; 112/391). Based on PFGE/MLST analysis, 71.3% (77/108 PFGE-tested isolates) clustered as two clones of sequence type ST-3779 and ST-3780, both belonging to the ST-103 clonal complex. ST-3779 has been detected in Salvador since 1996 and together with ST-3780 became predominant after 2005. There was a predominance of C:23:P1.14-6, ST-3779/3780 in Salvador during the period of 2007-2012, establishing a major clonal lineage, which remained in the community for a long time; this has serious implications for public health, particularly in terms of prevention and control strategies of IMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraia Machado Cordeiro
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 141, Candeal, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Barão do Jeremoabo, n° 147, Ondina, Salvador, 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Wanderley Cardoso
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 141, Candeal, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; Municipal Secretary of Health of Salvador, Rua da Grécia, 3, Comercio, Salvador 40010-010, Brazil
| | - Lorena Galvão de Araújo
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 141, Candeal, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Luis Eduardo Ribeiro
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Barão do Jeremoabo, n° 147, Ondina, Salvador, 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Jailton Azevedo
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 141, Candeal, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil
| | | | - Mitermayer Galvão Dos Reis
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 141, Candeal, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil
| | - Albert Icksang Ko
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 141, Candeal, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
| | - Joice Neves Reis
- Gonçalo Moniz Research Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil Ministry of Health, Rua Waldemar Falcão, 141, Candeal, Salvador 40296-710, Brazil; School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Barão do Jeremoabo, n° 147, Ondina, Salvador, 40170-115, Brazil.
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Evaluation of immunological responses to recombinant Porin A protein (rPoA) from native strains of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A and B using OMV as an adjuvant in BALB/c mice. Microb Pathog 2017; 112:209-214. [PMID: 28942175 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is one of the main causes of sepsis and meningitis, which are two serious life-threatening diseases in both children and adolescents. Porin A (porA) from both serogroup A and B were cloned into the pET28a plasmid and expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected three times with 25 μg of the recombinant PorA. Specific total IgG antibodies and isotypes were evaluated using ELISA assay. Opsonophagocytic assay (OPA) and Serum Bactericidal assay (SBA) were performed. Results showed that vaccinated mice exhibited higher levels of anti-Porin A (p < 0.05) with a predominant IgG1 response compared to the control group. Results from in vitro experiments indicated that N. meningitidis was opsonized with immunized-mice sera, and compared to non-immunized mice, immunized mice displayed significantly increased phagocytic uptake and effective intracellular killing. In this study, serogroup B N. meningitidis OMV of strain CSBPI G-245 and complete and incomplete Freund's adjuvant were used. Results demonstrated that Porin A could be a valuable target for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies against N. meningitidis.
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Moura ARSS, Kretz CB, Ferreira IE, Nunes AMPB, de Moraes JC, Reis MG, McBride AJA, Wang X, Campos LC. Molecular characterization of Neisseria meningitidis isolates recovered from 11-19-year-old meningococcal carriers in Salvador, Brazil. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185038. [PMID: 28931058 PMCID: PMC5607198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of meningococci isolated from the pharynx is essential towards understanding the dynamics of meningococcal carriage and disease. Meningococcal isolates, collected from adolescents resident in Salvador, Brazil during 2014, were characterized by multilocus sequence typing, genotyping or whole-genome sequencing. Most were nongroupable (61.0%), followed by genogroups B (11.9%) and Y (8.5%). We identified 34 different sequence types (STs), eight were new STs, distributed among 14 clonal complexes (cc), cc1136 represented 20.3% of the nongroupable isolates. The porA and fetA genotypes included P1.18,25-37 (11.9%), P1.18-1,3 (10.2%); F5-5 (23.7%), F4-66 (16.9%) and F1-7 (13.6%). The porB class 3 protein and the fHbp subfamily A (variants 2 and 3) genotypes were found in 93.0 and 71.0% of the isolates, respectively. NHBA was present in all isolates, and while most lacked NadA (94.9%), we detected the hyperinvasive lineages B:P1.19,15:F5-1:ST-639 (cc32); C:P1.22,14-6:F3-9:ST-3780 (cc103) and W:P1.5,2:F1-1:ST-11 (cc11). This is the first report on the genetic diversity and vaccine antigen prevalence among N. meningitidis carriage isolates in the Northeast of Brazil. This study highlights the need for ongoing characterization of meningococcal isolates following the introduction of vaccines and for determining public health intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cécilia Batmalle Kretz
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Italo Eustáquio Ferreira
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | | | - Mitermayer Galvão Reis
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Alan John Alexander McBride
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Xin Wang
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, United States of America
| | - Leila Carvalho Campos
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Bażlekowa M, Adamczyk-Popławska M, Kwiatek A. Characterization of Vsr endonucleases from Neisseria meningitidis. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2017; 163:1003-1015. [PMID: 28699876 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a common modification occurring in all living organisms. 5-methylcytosine, which is produced in a reaction catalysed by C5-methyltransferases, can spontaneously undergo deamination to thymine, leading to the formation of T:G mismatches and C→T transitions. In Escherichia coli K-12, such mismatches are corrected by the Very Short Patch (VSP) repair system, with Vsr endonuclease as the key enzyme. Neisseria meningitidis possesses genes that encode DNA methyltransferases, including C5-methyltransferases. We report on the mutagenic potential of the meningococcal C5-methyltransferases M.NmeDI and M.NmeAI resulting from deamination of 5-methylcytosine. N. meningitidis strains also possess genes encoding potential Vsr endonucleases. Phylogenetic analysis of meningococcal Vsr endonucleases indicates that they belong to two phylogenetically distinct groups (type I or type II Vsr endonucleases). N. meningitidis serogroup C (FAM18) is a representative of meningococcal strains that carry two Vsr endonuclease genes (V.Nme18IIP and V.Nme18VIP). The V.Nme18VIP (type II) endonuclease cut DNA containing T:G mismatches in all tested nucleotide contexts. V.Nme18IIP (type I) is not active in vitro, but the change of Tyr69 to His69 in the amino acid sequence of the protein restores its endonucleolytic activity. The presence of tyrosine in position 69 is a characteristic feature of type I meningococcal Vsr proteins, while type II Vsr endonucleases possess His69. In addition to the T:G mismatches, V.Nme18VIP and V.Nme18IIPY69H recognize and digest DNA with T:T or U:G mispairs. Thus, for the first time, we demonstrate that the VSP repair system may have a wider significance and broader substrate specificity than DNA lesions that only result from 5-methylcytosine deamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Bażlekowa
- Department of Virology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Adamczyk-Popławska
- Department of Virology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kwiatek
- Department of Virology, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
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Bårnes GK, Brynildsrud OB, Børud B, Workalemahu B, Kristiansen PA, Beyene D, Aseffa A, Caugant DA. Whole genome sequencing reveals within-host genetic changes in paired meningococcal carriage isolates from Ethiopia. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:407. [PMID: 28545446 PMCID: PMC5445459 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3806-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Meningococcal colonization is a prerequisite for transmission and disease, but the bacterium only very infrequently causes disease while asymptomatic carriage is common. Carriage is highly dynamic, showing a great variety across time and space within and across populations, but also within individuals. The understanding of genetic changes in the meningococcus during carriage, when the bacteria resides in its natural niche, is important for understanding not only the carriage state, but the dynamics of the entire meningococcal population. Results Paired meningococcal isolates, obtained from 50 asymptomatic carriers about 2 months apart were analyzed with whole genome sequencing (WGS). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most paired isolates from the same individual were closely related, and the average and median number of allelic differences between paired isolates defined as the same strain was 35. About twice as many differences were seen between isolates from different individuals within the same sequence type (ST). In 8%, different strains were detected at different time points. A difference in ST was observed in 6%, including an individual who was found to carry three different STs over the course of 9 weeks. One individual carried different strains from the same ST. In total, 566 of 1605 cgMLST genes had undergone within-host genetic changes in one or more pairs. The most frequently changed cgMLST gene was relA that was changed in 47% of pairs. Across the whole genome, pilE, differed mostly, in 85% of the pairs. The most frequent mechanisms of genetic difference between paired isolates were phase variation and recombination, including gene conversion. Different STs showed variation with regard to which genes that were most frequently changed, mostly due to absence/presence of phase variation. Conclusions This study revealed within-host genetic differences in meningococcal isolates during short-term asymptomatic carriage. The most frequently changed genes were genes belonging to the pilin family, the restriction/modification system, opacity proteins and genes involved in glycosylation. Higher resolution genome-wide sequence typing is necessary to resolve the diversity of isolates and reveals genetic differences not discovered by traditional typing schemes, and would be the preferred choice of technology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-017-3806-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guro K Bårnes
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Meningococci, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ola Brønstad Brynildsrud
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bente Børud
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Meningococci, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Paul A Kristiansen
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Meningococci, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Demissew Beyene
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abraham Aseffa
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Dominique A Caugant
- Division for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. .,WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Meningococci, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. .,Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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Agier L, Martiny N, Thiongane O, Mueller JE, Paireau J, Watkins ER, Irving TJ, Koutangni T, Broutin H. Towards understanding the epidemiology of Neisseria meningitidis in the African meningitis belt: a multi-disciplinary overview. Int J Infect Dis 2016; 54:103-112. [PMID: 27826113 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neisseria meningitidis is the major cause of seasonal meningitis epidemics in the African meningitis belt. In the changing context of a reduction in incidence of serogroup A and an increase in incidence of serogroups W and C and of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a better understanding of the determinants driving the disease transmission dynamics remains crucial to improving bacterial meningitis control. METHODS The literature was searched to provide a multi-disciplinary overview of the determinants of meningitis transmission dynamics in the African meningitis belt. RESULTS Seasonal hyperendemicity is likely predominantly caused by increased invasion rates, sporadic localized epidemics by increased transmission rates, and larger pluri-annual epidemic waves by changing population immunity. Carriage likely involves competition for colonization and cross-immunity. The duration of immunity likely depends on the acquisition type. Major risk factors include dust and low humidity, and presumably human contact rates and co-infections; social studies highlighted environmental and dietary factors, with supernatural explanations. CONCLUSIONS Efforts should focus on implementing multi-country, longitudinal seroprevalence and epidemiological studies, validating immune markers of protection, and improving surveillance, including more systematic molecular characterizations of the bacteria. Integrating climate and social factors into disease control strategies represents a high priority for optimizing the public health response and anticipating the geographic evolution of the African meningitis belt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydiane Agier
- Combining Health Information, Computation and Statistics, Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
| | - Nadège Martiny
- Centre de Recherches de Climatologie (CRC), UMR 6282 CNRS Biogeosciences, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Oumy Thiongane
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR INTERTRYP IRD-CIRAD, Antenne IRD Bobo Dioulasso, Bobo, Burkina Faso
| | - Judith E Mueller
- EHESP French School of Public Health, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Rennes, France; Unité de l'Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Paireau
- Unité de l'Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton Environmental Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Tom J Irving
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Thibaut Koutangni
- EHESP French School of Public Health, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Rennes, France; Unité de l'Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Broutin
- MIVEGEC, UMR 590CNRS/224IRD/UM, Montpellier, France; Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Fann, Dakar, Senegal
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Brandtzaeg P, Bjerre A, Øvstebø R, Brusletto B, Joø GB, Kierulf P. Invited review: Neisseria meningitidis lipopolysaccharides in human pathology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/09680519010070060401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis, fulminant septicemia or mild meningococcemia attacking mainly children and young adults. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) consist of a symmetrical hexa-acyl lipid A and a short oligosaccharide chain and are classified in 11 immunotypes. Lipid A is the primary toxic component of N. meningitidis . LPS levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid as determined by Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay are quantitatively closely associated with inflammatory mediators, clinical symptoms, and outcome. Patients with persistent septic shock, multiple organ failure, and severe coagulopathy reveal extraordinarily high levels of LPS in plasma. The cytokine production is compartmentalized to either the circulation or to the subarachnoid space. Mortality related to shock increases from 0% to > 80% with a 10-fold increase of plasma LPS from 10 to 100 endotoxin units/ml. Hemorrhagic skin lesions and thrombosis are caused by up-regulation of tissue factor which induces coagulation, and by inhibition of fibrinolysis by plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). Effective antibiotic treatment results in a rapid decline of plasma LPS (half-life 1—3 h) and cytokines, and reduced generation of thrombin, and PAI-1. Early antibiotic treatment is mandatory. Three intervention trials to block lipid A have not significantly reduced the mortality of meningococcal septicemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petter Brandtzaeg
- Department of Pediatrics, UllevÅl University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway,
| | - Anna Bjerre
- Department of Pediatrics, UllevÅl University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, Department of Clinical Chemistry, UllevÅl University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Reidun Øvstebø
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, UllevÅl University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Berit Brusletto
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, UllevÅl University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gun Britt Joø
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, UllevÅl University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Kierulf
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, UllevÅl University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Simonis A, Schubert-Unkmeir A. Interactions of meningococcal virulence factors with endothelial cells at the human blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and their role in pathogenicity. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:3854-3867. [PMID: 27498906 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The Gram-negative extracellular bacterium Neisseria meningitidis is one of the most common aetiological agents of bacterial meningitis affecting predominantly young children worldwide. This bacterium is normally a quiescent coloniser of the upper respiratory tract, but in some individuals it enters the blood stream and causes invasive diseases, such as septicaemia and meningitis. Interactions of N. meningitidis with human endothelial cells are crucially involved in pathogencitiy, and great efforts have been made to understand these molecular interactions. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of the interactions of meningococcal virulence factors with host endothelial cells at the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Simonis
- Division of Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Wuerzburg, Germany
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40
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Gupta N, Shah K, Singh M. An epitope-imprinted piezoelectric diagnostic tool forNeisseria meningitidisdetection. J Mol Recognit 2016; 29:572-579. [DOI: 10.1002/jmr.2557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Neha Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, MMV; Banaras Hindu University; Varanasi U.P. -221005 India
| | - Kavita Shah
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development; Banaras Hindu University; Varanasi U.P. -221005 India
| | - Meenakshi Singh
- Department of Chemistry, MMV; Banaras Hindu University; Varanasi U.P. -221005 India
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Takada S, Fujiwara S, Inoue T, Kataoka Y, Hadano Y, Matsumoto K, Morino K, Shimizu T. Meningococcemia in Adults: A Review of the Literature. Intern Med 2016; 55:567-72. [PMID: 26984070 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.3272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We mainly refer to the acute setting of meningococcemia. Meningococcemia is an infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which has 13 clinically significant serogroups that are distinguishable by the structure of their capsular polysaccharides. N. meningitidis, also called meningococcus, is a Gram-negative, aerobic, diplococcus bacterium. The various consequences of severe meningococcal sepsis include hypotension, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), multiple organ failure, and osteonecrosis due to DIC. The gold standard for the identification of meningococcal infection is the bacteriologic isolation of N. meningitidis from body fluids such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid, and pleural fluid. Blood, CSF, and skin biopsy cultures are used for diagnosis. Meningococcal infection is a medical emergency that requires antibiotic therapy and intensive supportive care. Management of the systemic circulation, respiration, and intracranial pressure is vital for improving the prognosis, which has dramatically improved since the wide availability of antibiotics. This review of the literature provides an overview of current concepts on meningococcemia due to N. meningitidis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimon Takada
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Nara City Hospital, Japan
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Comparison of Phenotypic and Genotypic Approaches to Capsule Typing of Neisseria meningitidis by Use of Invasive and Carriage Isolate Collections. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 54:25-34. [PMID: 26311858 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01447-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MnB) is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis; however, MnB is most commonly associated with asymptomatic carriage in the nasopharyngeal cavity, as opposed to the disease state. Two vaccines are now licensed for the prevention of MnB disease; a possible additional benefit of these vaccines could be to protect against disease indirectly by disrupting nasopharyngeal carriage (e.g., herd protection). To investigate this possibility, accurate diagnostic approaches to characterize MnB carriage isolates are required. In contrast to invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) isolates, which can be readily serogrouped, carriage isolates often lack capsule expression, making standard phenotypic assays unsuitable for strain characterization. Several antibody-based methods were evaluated for their abilities to serogroup isolates and were compared with two genotyping methods (real-time PCR [rt-PCR] and whole-genome sequencing [WGS]) to identify which approach would most accurately ascertain the polysaccharide groups associated with carriage isolates. WGS and rt-PCR were in agreement for 99% of IMD isolates, including those with coding sequences for MnB, MnC, MnW, and MnY, and the phenotypic methods correctly identified serogroups for 69 to 98% of IMD isolates. In contrast, only 47% of carriage isolates were groupable by genotypic methods, due to mutations within the capsule operon; of the isolates identified by genotypic methods, ≤43% were serogroupable with any of the phenotypic methods tested. These observations highlight the difficulties in the serogrouping and capsular genogrouping of meningococcal carriage isolates. Based on our findings, WGS is the most suitable approach for the characterization of meningococcal carriage isolates.
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Besbes A, Le Goff S, Antunes A, Terrade A, Hong E, Giorgini D, Taha MK, Deghmane AE. Hyperinvasive Meningococci Induce Intra-nuclear Cleavage of the NF-κB Protein p65/RelA by Meningococcal IgA Protease. PLoS Pathog 2015; 11:e1005078. [PMID: 26241037 PMCID: PMC4524725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential modulation of NF-κB during meningococcal infection is critical in innate immune response to meningococcal disease. Non-invasive isolates of Neisseria meningitidis provoke a sustained NF-κB activation in epithelial cells. However, the hyperinvasive isolates of the ST-11 clonal complex (ST-11) only induce an early NF-κB activation followed by a sustained activation of JNK and apoptosis. We show that this temporal activation of NF-κB was caused by specific cleavage at the C-terminal region of NF-κB p65/RelA component within the nucleus of infected cells. This cleavage was mediated by the secreted 150 kDa meningococcal ST-11 IgA protease carrying nuclear localisation signals (NLS) in its α-peptide moiety that allowed efficient intra-nuclear transport. In a collection of non-ST-11 healthy carriage isolates lacking NLS in the α-peptide, secreted IgA protease was devoid of intra-nuclear transport. This part of iga polymorphism allows non-invasive isolates lacking NLS, unlike hyperinvasive ST-11 isolates of N. meningitides habouring NLS in their α-peptide, to be carried asymptomatically in the human nasopharynx through selective eradication of their ability to induce apoptosis in infected epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anissa Besbes
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Paris, France
| | - Salomé Le Goff
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Paris, France
| | - Ana Antunes
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Paris, France
| | - Aude Terrade
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Paris, France
| | - Eva Hong
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Paris, France
| | - Dario Giorgini
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Paris, France
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Poore KD, Bauch CT. The impact of aggregating serogroups in dynamic models of Neisseria meningitidis transmission. BMC Infect Dis 2015. [PMID: 26223223 PMCID: PMC4520071 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-015-1015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a pathogen of multiple serogroups that is highly prevalent in many populations. Serogroups associated with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Canada, for example, include A, B, C, W-135, X and Y. IMD is a rare but serious outcome of Nm infection, and can be prevented with vaccines that target certain serogroups. This has stimulated the development of dynamic models to evaluate vaccine impact. However, these models typically aggregate the various Nm serogroups into a small number of combined groups, instead of modelling each serogroup individually. The impact of aggregation on dynamic Nm model predictions is poorly understood. Our objective was to explore the impact of aggregation on dynamic model predictions. Methods We developed two age-structured agent-based models--a 2-strain model and a 4-strain model--to simulate vaccination programs in the Canadian setting. The 2-strain model was used to explore two different groupings: C, versus all other serogroups combined; and B, versus all other serogroups combined. The 4-strain model used the four groupings: C, B, Neisseria lactamica, versus all other serogroups combined. We compared the predicted impact of monovalent C vaccine, quadrivalent ACWY vaccine (MCV-4), and monovalent B vaccine (4CMenB) on the prevalence of serogroup carriage under these different models. Results The 2-strain and 4-strain models predicted similar overall impacts of vaccines on carriage prevalence, especially with respect to the vaccine-targeted serogroups. However, there were some significant quantitative and qualitative differences. Declines in vaccine-targeted serogroups were more rapid in the 2-strain model than the 4-strain model, for both the C and the 4CMenB vaccines. Sustained oscillations, and evidence for multiple attractors (i.e., different types of dynamics for the same model parameters but different initial conditions), occurred in the 4-strain model but not the 2-strain model. Strain replacement was also more pronounced in the 4-strain model, on account of the 4-strain model spreading prevalence more thinly across groups and thus enhancing competitive interactions. Conclusions Simplifying assumptions like aggregation of serogroups can have significant impacts on dynamic model predictions. Modellers should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of aggregation when formulating models for multi-strain pathogens. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-015-1015-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith D Poore
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada.
| | - Chris T Bauch
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada. .,Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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Gómez H, Mendoza F, Lluch JM, Masgrau L. QM/MM Studies Reveal How Substrate-Substrate and Enzyme-Substrate Interactions Modulate Retaining Glycosyltransferases Catalysis and Mechanism. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2015; 100:225-54. [PMID: 26415846 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glycosyltransferases (GTs) catalyze the biosynthesis of glycosidic linkages by transferring a monosaccharide from a nucleotide sugar donor to an acceptor substrate, and they do that with exquisite regio- and stereospecificity. Retaining GTs act with retention of the configuration at the anomeric carbon of the transferred sugar. Their chemical mechanism has been under debate for long as conclusive experimental data to confirm the mechanism have been elusive. In the past years, quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations have shed light on the mechanistic discussion. Here, we review the work carried out in our group investigating three of these retaining enzymes (LgtC, α3GalT, and GalNAc-T2). Our results support the controversial front-side attack mechanism as the general mechanism for most retaining GTs. The latest structural data are in agreement with these findings. QM/MM calculations have revealed how enzyme-substrate and substrate-substrate interactions modulate the transfer reaction catalyzed by these enzymes. Moreover, they provide an explanation on why in some cases a strong nucleophilic residue is found on the β-face of the sugar, opening the door to a shift toward a double-displacement mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansel Gómez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain; Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain.
| | - Fernanda Mendoza
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain; Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
| | - José M Lluch
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain; Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Laura Masgrau
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
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Multiple Functions of Glutamate Uptake via Meningococcal GltT-GltM L-Glutamate ABC Transporter in Neisseria meningitidis Internalization into Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Infect Immun 2015; 83:3555-67. [PMID: 26099588 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00654-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that Neisseria meningitidis internalization into human brain microvasocular endothelial cells (HBMEC) was triggered by the influx of extracellular L-glutamate via the GltT-GltM L-glutamate ABC transporter, but the underlying mechanism remained unclear. We found that the ΔgltT ΔgltM invasion defect in assay medium (AM) was alleviated in AM without 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) [AM(-S)]. The alleviation disappeared again in AM(-S) supplemented with 500 μM glutamate. Glutamate uptake by the ΔgltT ΔgltM mutant was less efficient than that by the wild-type strain, but only upon HBMEC infection. We also observed that both GltT-GltM-dependent invasion and accumulation of ezrin, a key membrane-cytoskeleton linker, were more pronounced when N. meningitidis formed larger colonies on HBMEC under physiological glutamate conditions. These results suggested that GltT-GltM-dependent meningococcal internalization into HBMEC might be induced by the reduced environmental glutamate concentration upon infection. Furthermore, we found that the amount of glutathione within the ΔgltT ΔgltM mutant was much lower than that within the wild-type N. meningitidis strain only upon HBMEC infection and was correlated with intracellular survival. Considering that the L-glutamate obtained via GltT-GltM is utilized as a nutrient in host cells, l-glutamate uptake via GltT-GltM plays multiple roles in N. meningitidis internalization into HBMEC.
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Genome-Based Characterization of Emergent Invasive Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup Y Isolates in Sweden from 1995 to 2012. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 53:2154-62. [PMID: 25926489 PMCID: PMC4473204 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.03524-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y has increased in Europe, especially in Scandinavia. In Sweden, serogroup Y is now the dominating serogroup, and in 2012, the serogroup Y disease incidence was 0.46/100,000 population. We previously showed that a strain type belonging to sequence type 23 was responsible for the increased prevalence of this serogroup in Sweden. The objective of this study was to investigate the serogroup Y emergence by whole-genome sequencing and compare the meningococcal population structure of Swedish invasive serogroup Y strains to those of other countries with different IMD incidence. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on invasive serogroup Y isolates from 1995 to 2012 in Sweden (n = 186). These isolates were compared to a collection of serogroup Y isolates from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland from 2010 to 2012 (n = 143), which had relatively low serogroup Y incidence, and two isolates obtained in 1999 in the United States, where serogroup Y remains one of the major causes of IMD. The meningococcal population structures were similar in the investigated regions; however, different strain types were prevalent in each geographic region. A number of genes known or hypothesized to have an impact on meningococcal virulence were shown to be associated with different strain types and subtypes. The reasons for the IMD increase are multifactorial and are influenced by increased virulence, host adaptive immunity, and transmission. Future genome-wide association studies are needed to reveal additional genes associated with serogroup Y meningococcal disease, and this work would benefit from a complete serogroup Y meningococcal reference genome.
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Effectiveness of meningococcal C conjugate vaccine in Salvador, Brazil: a case-control study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123734. [PMID: 25874777 PMCID: PMC4395143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During a citywide epidemic of serogroup C meningococcal disease in Salvador in 2010, Brazil, the state government initiated mass vaccination targeting two age groups with high attack rates: individuals aged <5 years and 10–24 years. More than 600,000 doses of meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccines were administered. We performed a case-control study to evaluate vaccine uptake, document vaccine effectiveness and identify reasons for non-vaccination. Methods and Findings Population-based surveillance identified patients with laboratory-confirmed invasive meningococcal C (MenC) disease during 2010. Information on MenC vaccination was obtained from case patients and age-matched individuals from the same neighborhoods. MenC vaccine effectiveness was estimated based on the exact odds ratios obtained by conditional logistic regression analysis. Of 51 laboratory-confirmed cases of serogroup C meningococcal disease among patients <5 and 10–24 years of age 50 were included in the study and matched with 240 controls. Overall case-fatality was 25%. MenC vaccine coverage among controls increased from 7.1% to 70.2% after initiation of the vaccination campaign. None of the 50 case patients but 70 (29.2%) of the 240 control individuals, including 59 (70.2%) of 84 matched with cases from the period after MenC vaccination, had received at least one MenC vaccine dose. Overall effectiveness of MenC was 98% with a lower 95% exact confidence limit of 89%. Conclusions MenC vaccines administered during the meningococcal epidemic were highly effective, suggesting that rapid vaccine uptake through campaigns contributed to control of meningococcal disease.
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Recognition of Neisseria meningitidis by the long pentraxin PTX3 and its role as an endogenous adjuvant. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0120807. [PMID: 25786110 PMCID: PMC4364741 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0120807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a non-redundant component of the humoral arm of innate immunity. The present study was designed to investigate the interaction of PTX3 with Neisseria meningitidis. PTX3 bound acapsular meningococcus, Neisseria-derived outer membrane vesicles (OMV) and 3 selected meningococcal antigens (GNA0667, GNA1030 and GNA2091). PTX3-recognized microbial moieties are conserved structures which fulfil essential microbial functions. Ptx3-deficient mice had a lower antibody response in vaccination protocols with OMV and co-administration of PTX3 increased the antibody response, particularly in Ptx3-deficient mice. Administration of PTX3 reduced the bacterial load in infant rats challenged with Neisseria meningitidis. These results suggest that PTX3 recognizes a set of conserved structures from Neisseria meningitidis and acts as an amplifier/endogenous adjuvant of responses to this bacterium.
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Paireau J, Maïnassara HB, Jusot JF, Collard JM, Idi I, Moulia-Pelat JP, Mueller JE, Fontanet A. Spatio-temporal factors associated with meningococcal meningitis annual incidence at the health centre level in Niger, 2004-2010. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2899. [PMID: 24852960 PMCID: PMC4031065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemics of meningococcal meningitis (MM) recurrently strike the African Meningitis Belt. This study aimed at investigating factors, still poorly understood, that influence annual incidence of MM serogroup A, the main etiologic agent over 2004-2010, at a fine spatial scale in Niger. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS To take into account data dependencies over space and time and control for unobserved confounding factors, we developed an explanatory Bayesian hierarchical model over 2004-2010 at the health centre catchment area (HCCA) level. The multivariate model revealed that both climatic and non-climatic factors were important for explaining spatio-temporal variations in incidence: mean relative humidity during November-June over the study region (posterior mean Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 0.656, 95% Credible Interval (CI) 0.405-0.949) and occurrence of early rains in March in a HCCA (IRR = 0.353, 95% CI 0.239-0.502) were protective factors; a higher risk was associated with the percentage of neighbouring HCCAs having at least one MM A case during the same year (IRR = 2.365, 95% CI 2.078-2.695), the presence of a road crossing the HCCA (IRR = 1.743, 95% CI 1.173-2.474) and the occurrence of cases before 31 December in a HCCA (IRR = 6.801, 95% CI 4.004-10.910). At the study region level, higher annual incidence correlated with greater geographic spread and, to a lesser extent, with higher intensity of localized outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, we hypothesize that spatio-temporal variability of MM A incidence between years and HCCAs result from variations in the intensity or duration of the dry season climatic effects on disease risk, and is further impacted by factors of spatial contacts, representing facilitated pathogen transmission. Additional unexplained factors may contribute to the observed incidence patterns and should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Paireau
- Unité d'Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Univ. Pierre et Marie Curie, Cellule Pasteur UPMC, Paris, France
| | - Halima B. Maïnassara
- Unité d'Epidémiologie/Santé-Environnement-Climat, Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES)/Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Niamey, Niger
| | - Jean-François Jusot
- Unité d'Epidémiologie/Santé-Environnement-Climat, Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES)/Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Niamey, Niger
| | - Jean-Marc Collard
- Unité de Biologie, Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES)/Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Niamey, Niger
| | - Issa Idi
- Unité d'Epidémiologie/Santé-Environnement-Climat, Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES)/Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Niamey, Niger
| | - Jean-Paul Moulia-Pelat
- Unité d'Epidémiologie/Santé-Environnement-Climat, Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES)/Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, Niamey, Niger
| | - Judith E. Mueller
- Unité d'Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- EHESP French School of Public Health, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Rennes, France
| | - Arnaud Fontanet
- Unité d'Epidémiologie des Maladies Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Chaire Santé et Développement, Paris, France
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