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Sereikaitė E, Plepytė R, Petrutienė A, Stravinskienė D, Kučinskaitė-Kodzė I, Gėgžna V, Ivaškevičienė I, Žvirblienė A, Plečkaitytė M. Molecular characterization of invasive Neisseria meningitidis isolates collected in Lithuania (2009-2019) and estimation of serogroup B meningococcal vaccine 4CMenB and MenB-Fhbp coverage. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1136211. [PMID: 36875527 PMCID: PMC9975601 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1136211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis causes invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), which is associated with significant mortality and long-term consequences, especially among young children. The incidence of IMD in Lithuania was among the highest in European Union/European Economic Area countries during the past two decades; however, the characterization of meningococcal isolates by molecular typing methods has not yet been performed. In this study, we characterized invasive meningococcal isolates (n=294) recovered in Lithuania from 2009 to 2019 by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and typing of antigens FetA and PorA. The more recent (2017-2019) serogroup B isolates (n=60) were genotyped by analyzing vaccine-related antigens to evaluate their coverage by four-component (4CMenB) and two-component (MenB-Fhbp) vaccines using the genetic Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (gMATS) and Meningococcal Deduced Vaccine Antigen Reactivity (MenDeVAR) Index methods, respectively. The vast majority (90.5%) of isolates belonged to serogroup B. MLST revealed a predominance of clonal complex 32 (74.02%). Serogroup B strain P1.19,15: F4-28: ST-34 (cc32) accounted for 64.1% of IMD isolates. The overall level of strain coverage by the 4MenB vaccine was 94.8% (CI 85.9-98.2%). Most serogroup B isolates (87.9%) were covered by a single vaccine antigen, most commonly Fhbp peptide variant 1 (84.5% of isolates). The Fhbp peptides included in the MenB-Fhbp vaccine were not detected among the analyzed invasive isolates; however, the identified predominant variant 1 was considered cross-reactive. In total, 88.1% (CI 77.5-94.1) of isolates were predicted to be covered by the MenB-Fhbp vaccine. In conclusion, both serogroup B vaccines demonstrate potential to protect against IMD in Lithuania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilija Sereikaitė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rūta Plepytė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Aurelija Petrutienė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Department of Bacteriology, National Public Health Surveillance Laboratory, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Dovilė Stravinskienė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Vilmantas Gėgžna
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Inga Ivaškevičienė
- Clinic of Children’s Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Pediatric Center, Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Aurelija Žvirblienė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Milda Plečkaitytė
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- *Correspondence: Milda Plečkaitytė,
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Taha MK, Martinon-Torres F, Köllges R, Bonanni P, Safadi MAP, Booy R, Smith V, Garcia S, Bekkat-Berkani R, Abitbol V. Equity in vaccination policies to overcome social deprivation as a risk factor for invasive meningococcal disease. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:659-674. [PMID: 35271781 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2052048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Social deprivation is associated with poorer healthcare access. Vaccination is among the most effective public health interventions and achieving equity in vaccination access is vitally important. However, vaccines are often reimbursed by public funds only when recommended in national immunization programs (NIPs), which can increase inequity between high and low socioeconomic groups. Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a serious vaccination-preventable disease. This review focuses on vaccination strategies against IMD designed to reduce inequity. AREAS COVERED We reviewed meningococcal epidemiology and current vaccination recommendations worldwide. We also reviewed studies demonstrating an association between social deprivation and risk of meningococcal disease, as well as studies demonstrating an impact of social deprivation on uptake of meningococcal vaccines. We discuss factors influencing inclusion of meningococcal vaccines in NIPs. EXPERT OPINION Incorporating meningococcal vaccines in NIPs is necessary to reduce inequity, but insufficient alone. Inclusion provides clear guidance to healthcare professionals and helps to ensure that vaccines are offered universally to all target groups. Beyond NIPs, cost of vaccination should be reimbursed especially for disadvantaged individuals. These approaches should help to achieve optimal protection against IMD, by increasing access and immunization rates, eventually reducing social inequities, and helping to protect those at greatest risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, National Reference Centre for Meningococci and Haemophilus Influenza, Paris, France
| | - Federico Martinon-Torres
- Genetics, Vaccines, Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Research Group (GENVIP), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBER-ES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralph Köllges
- Praxis für Kinder und Jugendliche, Ralph Köllges und Partner, Mönchengladbach, Germany
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Robert Booy
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Guedes S, Bertrand-Gerentes I, Evans K, Coste F, Oster P. Invasive meningococcal disease in older adults in North America and Europe: is this the time for action? A review of the literature. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:380. [PMID: 35197024 PMCID: PMC8864456 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12795-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neisseria meningitidis is an encapsulated Gram-negative diplococcus that asymptomatically colonises the upper respiratory tract in up to 25% of the population (mainly adolescents and young adults). Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis imposes a substantial public health burden,. The case fatality rate (CFR) of IMD remains high. IMD epidemiology varies markedly by region and over time, and there appears to be a shift in the epidemiology towards older adults. The objective of our review was to assess the published data on the epidemiology of IMD in older adults (those aged ≥ 55 years)in North America and Europe. Such information would assist decision-makers at national and international levels in developing future public health programmes for managing IMD. METHODS A comprehensive literature review was undertaken on 11 August 2020 across three databases: EMBASE, Medline and BIOSIS. Papers were included if they met the following criteria: full paper written in the English language; included patients aged ≥ 56 years; were published between 1/1/2009 11/9/2020 and included patients with either suspected or confirmed IMD or infection with N. meningitidis in North America or Europe. Case studies/reports/series were eligible for inclusion if they included persons in the age range of interest. Animal studies and letters to editors were excluded. In addition, the websites of international and national organisations and societies were also checked for relevant information. RESULTS There were 5,364 citations identified in total, of which 76 publications were included in this review. We identified that older adults with IMD were mainly affected by serogroups W and Y, which are generally not the predominant strains in circulation in most countries. Older adults had the highest CFRs, probably linked to underlying comorbidities and more atypical presentations hindering appropriate timely management. In addition, there was some evidence of a shift in the incidence of IMD from younger to older adults. CONCLUSIONS The use of meningococcal vaccines that include coverage against serogroups W and Y in immunization programs for older adults needs to be evaluated to inform health authorities' decisions of the relative benefits of vaccination and the utility of expanding national immunization programmes to this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Guedes
- Sanofi Pasteur, 14 Espace Henry Vallée, 69007, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Florence Coste
- Sanofi Pasteur, 14 Espace Henry Vallée, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Philipp Oster
- Sanofi Pasteur, 14 Espace Henry Vallée, 69007, Lyon, France.
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Sohn WY, Tahrat H, Novy P, Bekkat-Berkani R. Real-world implementation of 4-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB): implications for clinical practices. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:325-335. [DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2021881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Martinón-Torres F, Taha MK, Knuf M, Abbing-Karahagopian V, Pellegrini M, Bekkat-Berkani R, Abitbol V. Evolving strategies for meningococcal vaccination in Europe: Overview and key determinants for current and future considerations. Pathog Glob Health 2021; 116:85-98. [PMID: 34569453 PMCID: PMC8933022 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2021.1972663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a life-threatening, unpredictable condition. Vaccines are available against 5 of the 6 meningococcal serogroups (Men) accounting for nearly all IMD cases worldwide; conjugate monovalent MenC, quadrivalent MenACWY, and protein-based MenB vaccines are commonly used. We provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of meningococcal vaccination strategies employed in national immunization programmes (NIPs) and their impact on IMD incidence in Europe. A more in-depth description is given for several countries: the United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, and Ireland. We searched European health authorities' websites and PubMed. Various vaccines and immunization schedules are used in 21 NIPs. Most countries implement MenC vaccination in infants, MenACWY in adolescents, and a growing number, MenB in infants. Only Malta has introduced MenACWY vaccination in infants, and several countries reimburse immunization of toddlers. The UK, Italy, Ireland, Malta, Andorra, and San Marino recommend MenB vaccination in infants and MenACWY vaccination in adolescents, targeting the most prevalent serogroups in the most impacted age groups. Main factors determining new vaccination strategies are fluctuating IMD epidemiology, ease of vaccine implementation, ability to induce herd protection, favorable benefit-risk balance, and acceptable cost-effectiveness. Since 1999, when the UK introduced MenC vaccination, the reduction in IMD incidence has been gradually enhanced as other countries adopted routine meningococcal vaccinations. Meningococcal vaccination strategies in each country are continually adapted to regional epidemiology and national healthcare priorities. Future strategies may include broader coverage vaccines when available (e.g., MenABCWY, MenACWY), depending on prevailing epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Martinón-Torres
- Genetics, Vaccines and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP, Instituto De Investigación Sanitaria De Santiago and Universidad De Santiago De Compostela (Usc), Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, National Reference Centre for Meningococci and Haemophilus Influenza, Paris, France
| | - Markus Knuf
- Klinik Für Kinder- Und Jugendmedizin, Worms, Germany and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Medicine, Mainz, Germany
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Drew RJ, Bennett D, O'Donnell S, Mulhall R, Cunney R. Risk factors for carriage of meningococcus in third-level students in Ireland: an unsupervised machine learning approach. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:3702-3709. [PMID: 34165378 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1940651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the risk factors for pharyngeal carriage of meningococci in third-level students using an unsupervised machine learning approach. Data were gathered as part of meningococcal prevalence studies conducted by the Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory (IMSRL). Pharyngeal swab cultures for meningococcal carriage were taken from each student once they had completed a single-page anonymous questionnaire addressing basic demographics, social behaviors, living arrangements, vaccination, and antibiotic history. Data were analyzed using multiple correspondence analysis through a machine learning approach.In total, 16,285 students who had a pharyngeal throat swab taken returned a fully completed questionnaire. Overall, meningococcal carriage rate was 20.6%, and the carriage of MenW was 1.9% (n = 323). Young Irish adults aged under 20 years and immunized with the meningococcal C vaccine had a higher MenW colonization rate (n = 171/1260, 13.5%) compared with non-Irish adults aged 20 years or older without the MenC vaccine (n = 5/81, 6%, chi-square = 3.6, p = .05). Unsupervised machine learning provides a useful technique to explore meningococcal carriage risk factors. The issue is very complex, and asked risk factors only explain a small proportion of the carriage. This technique could be used on other conditions to explore reasons for carriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Drew
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland.,Clinical Innovation Unit, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Desirée Bennett
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sinéad O'Donnell
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Robert Mulhall
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Robert Cunney
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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Bennett DE, Meyler KL, Cafferkey MT, Cunney RJ. Antibiotic susceptibility and molecular analysis of invasive Neisseria meningitidis recovered in the Republic of Ireland, 1996 to 2016. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 40:1127-1136. [PMID: 33403566 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-04114-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)-associated Neisseria meningitidis recovered in the Republic of Ireland between 1996 and 2016. In total, 1359 isolates representing over one-third of all laboratory-confirmed cases of IMD diagnosed each epidemiological year (EY; July 1-June 30) were analysed. All isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and cefotaxime and 74% and 87% were susceptible to sulphonamide and penicillin, respectively. The proportion of isolates exhibiting reduced susceptibility to penicillin increased significantly during the study with no evidence of major clonal expansion or horizontal spread of a specific penA allele. Greater diversity observed among recently recovered meningococci and specifically among isolates exhibiting reduced penicillin susceptibility contributed to the overall increase in penA allele diversity throughout. The emergence and dissemination of strains with phenotypic and genotypic reduced susceptibility to penicillin increase the need for continued surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of meningococci in the Republic of Ireland especially in view of the recommendation of penicillin G as empiric treatment of choice for pre-hospital management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée E Bennett
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - K L Meyler
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M T Cafferkey
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - R J Cunney
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Children's Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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8
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A meta-analytic evaluation of sex differences in meningococcal disease incidence rates in 10 countries. Epidemiol Infect 2020; 148:e246. [PMID: 33004098 PMCID: PMC7592104 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268820002356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The magnitude and consistency of the sex differences in meningococcal disease incidence rates (IR) have not been systematically examined in different age groups, countries and time periods. We obtained national data on meningococcal disease IR by sex, age group and time period, from 10 countries. We used meta-analytic methods to combine the male to female incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by country and year for each age group. Meta-regression analysis was used to assess the contribution of age, country and time period to the variation in the IRRs. The pooled male to female IRRs (with 95% CI) for ages 0–1, 1–4, 5–9, 10–14 and 15–44, were 1.25 (1.19–1.32), 1.24 (1.20–1.29), 1.13 (1.07–1.20), 1.21 (1.13–1.29) and 1.15 (1.10–1.21), respectively. In the age groups 45−64 and over 65, the IR were lower in males with IRRs of 0.83 (0.78–0.88) and 0.64 (0.60–0.69), respectively. Sensitivity analysis and meta-regression confirmed that the results were robust. The excess meningococcal IR in young males and the higher rates in females at older ages were consistent in all countries, except the Czech Republic. While behavioural factors could explain some of the sex differences in the older age groups, the excess rates in very young males suggest that genetic and hormonal differences could be important.
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Parikh SR, Campbell H, Bettinger JA, Harrison LH, Marshall HS, Martinon-Torres F, Safadi MA, Shao Z, Zhu B, von Gottberg A, Borrow R, Ramsay ME, Ladhani SN. The everchanging epidemiology of meningococcal disease worldwide and the potential for prevention through vaccination. J Infect 2020; 81:483-498. [PMID: 32504737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.05.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia worldwide and is associated with high case fatality rates and serious life-long complications among survivors. Twelve serogroups are recognised, of which six (A, B, C, W, X and Y) are responsible for nearly all cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). The incidence of IMD and responsible serogroups vary widely both geographically and over time. For the first time, effective vaccines against all these serogroups are available or nearing licensure. Over the past two decades, IMD incidence has been declining across most parts of the world through a combination of successful meningococcal immunisation programmes and secular trends. The introduction of meningococcal C conjugate vaccines in the early 2000s was associated with rapid declines in meningococcal C disease, whilst implementation of a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine across the African meningitis belt led to near-elimination of meningococcal A disease. Consequently, other serogroups have become more important causes of IMD. In particular, the emergence of a hypervirulent meningococcal group W clone has led many countries to shift from monovalent meningococcal C to quadrivalent ACWY conjugate vaccines in their national immunisation programmes. Additionally, the recent licensure of two protein-based, broad-spectrum meningococcal B vaccines finally provides protection against the most common group responsible for childhood IMD across Europe and Australia. This review describes global IMD epidemiology across each continent and trends over time, the serogroups responsible for IMD, the impact of meningococcal immunisation programmes and future needs to eliminate this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydel R Parikh
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, UK
| | - Helen Campbell
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, UK
| | - Julie A Bettinger
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lee H Harrison
- Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Helen S Marshall
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide and Women's and Children's Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Federico Martinon-Torres
- Genetics, Vaccines and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Galicia, Spain
| | - Marco Aurelio Safadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Zhujun Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Bingqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Anne von Gottberg
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Mary E Ramsay
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, UK
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, London, UK; Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (PIDRG), St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
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10
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Bennett DE, Meyler KL, Cafferkey MT, Cunney RJ. Diversity of meningococci associated with invasive meningococcal disease in the Republic of Ireland over a 19 year period, 1996-2015. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228629. [PMID: 32053601 PMCID: PMC7018037 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the capsular phenotype and genotype of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)-associated Neisseria meningitidis recovered in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) between 1996 and 2015. This time period encompasses both pre- (when IMD was hyperendemic in the RoI) and post- meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccine introduction. In total, 1327 isolates representing over one-third of all laboratory-confirmed cases of IMD diagnosed each epidemiological year (EY), were characterised. Serogroups B (menB) and C (menC) predominated throughout, although their relative abundance changed; with an initial increase in the proportion of menC in the late 1990s followed by their dramatic reduction post-MCC vaccine implementation and a concomitant dominance of menB, despite an overall decline in IMD incidence. While the increase in menC was associated with expansion of specific clonal-complexes (cc), cc11 and cc8; the dominance of menB was not. There was considerable variation in menB-associated cc with declines in cc41/44 and cc32, and increases in cc269 and cc461, contributing to a significant increase in the clonal diversity of menB isolates over the study. This increase in diversity was also displayed among the serosubtyping data, with significant declines in proportions of menB isolates expressing p1.4 and p1.15 antigens. These data highlight the changing diversity of IMD-associated meningococci since 1996 in the RoI and emphasise the need for on-going surveillance particularly in view of the recent introduction of a menB vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée E. Bennett
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail:
| | - Kenneth L. Meyler
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary T. Cafferkey
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Robert J. Cunney
- Irish Meningitis and Sepsis Reference Laboratory, Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Children’s Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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