Gottfredsson M, Reynisson IK, Ingvarsson RF, Kristjansdottir H, Nardini MV, Sigurdsson JF, Schneerson R, Robbins JB, Miller MA. Comparative long-term adverse effects elicited by invasive group B and C meningococcal infections.
Clin Infect Dis 2011;
53:e117-24. [PMID:
21946191 PMCID:
PMC3189164 DOI:
10.1093/cid/cir500]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Given the identity between Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) capsular polysaccharide (polysialic acid; PSA) and PSA found on neural cell adhesion molecules, it has been proposed that infection with MenB or vaccination with PSA may be associated with subsequent autoimmune or neurological disease.
METHODS
We conducted 2 studies. The first was a retrospective nationwide study of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Iceland (with 541 subjects) during the period 1975-2004, and we cross referenced this cohort with databases with respect to subsequent diagnosis of autoimmune disorders. A follow-up study involving 120 survivors of IMD was performed. The study included 70 patients with a history of MenB and 50 patients with N. meningitidis serogroup C (MenC) infection, who served as control subjects. Participants answered standardized questionnaires (Beck's Depression Inventory [BDI] II, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales [DASS], and Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]), and serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G against MenB and MenC capsular polysaccharides were measured.
RESULTS
The nationwide cohort had 9166 patient-years of follow up. No evidence of increased autoimmunity was found to be associated with MenB, compared with MenC. In the follow-up study, patients were evaluated 16.6 years after the infection, representing 2022 patient-years of observation. Comparable rates of most complications were recorded, but MenC infections were associated with arthritis (P = .008) and migraine headaches (P = .01) more frequently than were MenB infections. No difference was observed with respect to scores on BDI-II, DASS, or PHQ. IgG anti-MenB and anti-MenC capsular polysaccharide levels were not related to patient complaints.
CONCLUSIONS
This study does not support the hypothesis that MenB infection may predispose to autoimmunity. MenC infections are associated with a higher prevalence of arthritis and migraine headaches. No evidence of antibody-associated pathology was detected at long-term follow-up.
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