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McMillan M, Mohammed H, Bednarz J, Leong LEX, Lawrence A, Sullivan TR, Maiden MCJ, Marshall HS. Longitudinal study of meningococcal carriage in adolescents and young adults in South Australia 2017-2020. J Infect 2024; 88:149-157. [PMID: 38242365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.01.002] [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] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This analysis investigated longitudinal changes in meningococcal carriage in adolescents in South Australia over 4 years. METHODS Data from the "B Part of It" study, which included a state-wide cluster randomized controlled trial in secondary-school students (n = 34,489 in 2017 and 2018) and serial cross-sectional studies in school leavers aged 17-25 years (n = 4028 in 2019-2020). Individuals had oropharyngeal swabs collected annually. This study included two unique cohorts: (1) individuals enrolled in 2019, with three consecutive annual swabs taken in 2017, 2018 and 2019; and (2) individuals enrolled in 2020, with swabs taken in 2017, 2018, and 2020. Disease-associated N. meningitidis genogroups were identified using PCR and whole genome sequencing. Univariate analysis identified risk factors for recurrent carriage (≥2). RESULTS Among school leavers, 50 (1.7%, total n = 2980) had carriage detected at successive visits. In participants with meningococcal carriage at successive visits, 38/50 (76.0%) had the same genogroup detected by porA PCR. Of those, 19 had the same MLST type and demonstrated minimal variation, indicating they most likely had sustained carriage of the same isolate (range 226 to 490 days, mean duration 352 [SD 51] days). In the 2019 school leaver cohort, 6.7% acquired carriage in their first year out of school compared to 3.3% in their final school year. Compared to single carriage detection, recurrent carriage was potentially more likely in older adolescents (16 compared to ≤15 years; OR = 1.97 (95%CI 1.0, 3.86); p = 0.048). CONCLUSION Whilst carriage is typically transient, some adolescents/young adults may have persistent carriage and are likely to be an important group in the transmission of meningococci.
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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
| | - Hassen Mohammed
- 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
| | - Jana Bednarz
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; SAHMRI Women and Kids Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lex E X Leong
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Andrew Lawrence
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Thomas R Sullivan
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; SAHMRI Women and Kids Theme, South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, 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.
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Mikucki A, Kahler CM. Microevolution and Its Impact on Hypervirulence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Vaccine Escape in Neisseria meningitidis. Microorganisms 2023; 11:3005. [PMID: 38138149 PMCID: PMC10745880 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11123005] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is commensal of the human pharynx and occasionally invades the host, causing the life-threatening illness invasive meningococcal disease. The meningococcus is a highly diverse and adaptable organism thanks to natural competence, a propensity for recombination, and a highly repetitive genome. These mechanisms together result in a high level of antigenic variation to invade diverse human hosts and evade their innate and adaptive immune responses. This review explores the ways in which this diversity contributes to the evolutionary history and population structure of the meningococcus, with a particular focus on microevolution. It examines studies on meningococcal microevolution in the context of within-host evolution and persistent carriage; microevolution in the context of meningococcal outbreaks and epidemics; and the potential of microevolution to contribute to antimicrobial resistance and vaccine escape. A persistent theme is the idea that the process of microevolution contributes to the development of new hyperinvasive meningococcal variants. As such, microevolution in this species has significant potential to drive future public health threats in the form of hypervirulent, antibiotic-resistant, vaccine-escape variants. The implications of this on current vaccination strategies are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- August Mikucki
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Charlene M. Kahler
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
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Meningococcal Disease in Pediatric Age: A Focus on Epidemiology and Prevention. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074035. [PMID: 35409716 PMCID: PMC8998454 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis; 13 serogroups have been identified and differentiated from each other through their capsular polysaccharide. Serotypes A, B, C, W, X, and Y are responsible for nearly all infections worldwide. The most common clinical manifestations are meningitis and invasive meningococcal disease, both characterized by high mortality and long-term sequelae. The infection rate is higher in children younger than 1 year and in adolescents, who are frequently asymptomatic carriers. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing infection and transmission. Currently, both monovalent meningococcal vaccines (against A, B, and C serotypes) and quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines (against serogroups ACYW) are available and recommended according to local epidemiology. The purpose of this article is to describe the meningococcal vaccines and to identify instruments that are useful for reducing transmission and implementing the vaccination coverage. This aim could be reached by switching from the monovalent to the quadrivalent vaccine in the first year of life, increasing vaccine promotion against ACYW serotypes among adolescents, and extending the free offer of the anti-meningococcal B vaccine to teens, co-administering it with others proposed in the same age group. Greater awareness of the severity of the disease and increased health education through web and social networks could represent the best strategies for promoting adhesion and active participation in the vaccination campaign. Finally, the development of a licensed universal meningococcal vaccine should be another important objective.
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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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BOCCALINI SARA, PANATTO DONATELLA, MENNINI FRANCESCOSAVERIO, MARCELLUSI ANDREA, BINI CHIARA, AMICIZIA DANIELA, LAI PIEROLUIGI, MICALE ROSANNATINDARA, FRUMENTO DAVIDE, AZZARI CHIARA, RICCI SILVIA, BONITO BENEDETTA, DI PISA GIULIA, IOVINE MARIASILVIA, LODI LORENZO, GIOVANNINI MATTIA, MOSCADELLI ANDREA, PAOLI SONIA, PENNATI BEATRICEMARINA, PISANO LAURA, BECHINI ANGELA, BONANNI PAOLO. [ Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of the introduction of additional cohorts for anti-meningococcal vaccination with quadrivalent conjugate vaccines in Italy]. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2021; 62:E1-E128. [PMID: 34622076 PMCID: PMC8452280 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.1s1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- SARA BOCCALINI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
- Autore corrispondente: Sara Boccalini, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134 Firenze, Italia - Tel.: 055-2751084 E-mail:
| | - DONATELLA PANATTO
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - FRANCESCO SAVERIO MENNINI
- Economic Evaluation and HTA - CEIS (EEHTA - CEIS), Facoltà di Economia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"
- Institute for Leadership and Management in Health, Kingston University, London, UK
| | - ANDREA MARCELLUSI
- Economic Evaluation and HTA - CEIS (EEHTA - CEIS), Facoltà di Economia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"
| | - CHIARA BINI
- Economic Evaluation and HTA - CEIS (EEHTA - CEIS), Facoltà di Economia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata"
| | - DANIELA AMICIZIA
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - PIERO LUIGI LAI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | | | - DAVIDE FRUMENTO
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - CHIARA AZZARI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - SILVIA RICCI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - BENEDETTA BONITO
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - GIULIA DI PISA
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | | | - LORENZO LODI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - MATTIA GIOVANNINI
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - ANDREA MOSCADELLI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - SONIA PAOLI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | | | - LAURA PISANO
- Immunologia, Clinica Pediatrica II, AOU Meyer, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - ANGELA BECHINI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - PAOLO BONANNI
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
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Choi H, Lee HM, Lee W, Kim JH, Seong H, Kim JH, Ahn JY, Jeong SJ, Ku NS, Yeom JS, Lee K, Kim HS, Oster P, Choi JY. Longitudinal study of meningococcal carriage rates in university entrants living in a dormitory in South Korea. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244716. [PMID: 33507960 PMCID: PMC7842983 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244716] [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: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
University students, especially those living in dormitories, are known to have a high risk of invasive meningococcal disease. We performed a longitudinal study to investigate the change in Neisseria meningitidis carriage rates and identify the risk factors for carriage acquisition in university students in South Korea. We recruited university entrants who were admitted to a student dormitory. Pharyngeal swabs were taken from participants at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months, and the subjects completed a questionnaire. Culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for species-specific ctrA and sodC genes were performed. The cultured isolates or PCR-positive samples were further evaluated for epidemiologic characterization using serogrouping, PorA typing, FetA typing, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). At the first visit, we enrolled 332 participants who were predominantly male (64.2%) with a median age of 19 years. Meningococcal carriage rates increased from 2.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9–4.4%) at baseline to 6.3% (95% CI 3.4–9.0%) at 1 month and 11.8% (95% CI 7.8–15.6%) at 3 months. Nongroupable isolates accounted for 50.0% of all isolates, with serogroup B being the next most prevalent (24.1%). In the study population, male sex (OR 2.613, 95% CI 1.145–5.961, p = 0.022) and frequent pub or club visits (OR 3.701, 95% CI 1.536–8.919, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with meningococcal carriage. Based on serotype and MLST analyses, six carriers transmitted meningococci to other study participants. N. meningitidis carriage rates among new university entrants who lived in a dormitory significantly increased within the first 3 months of dormitory stay, probably owing to the transmission of identical genotype among students. Based on the risk of meningococcal disease, meningococcal vaccination should be considered for students before dormitory admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heun Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Min Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Woonji Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyoung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Seong
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ho Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Jin Jeong
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Su Ku
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Sup Yeom
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungwon Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Jun Yong Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Why the Anti-Meningococcal B Vaccination during Adolescence Should Be Implemented in Italy: An Overview of Available Evidence. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111681. [PMID: 33138142 PMCID: PMC7692044 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although meningococcal disease has a low incidence in Italy, it is a public health concern owing to its high lethality rate and high frequency of transitory and/or permanent sequelae among survivors. The highest incidence rates are recorded in infants, children and adolescents, and most of the cases are due to Neisseria meningitidis B. In Italy, anti-meningococcal B (anti-MenB) vaccination is free for infants but, despite the considerable disease burden in adolescents, no national recommendation to vaccinate in this age-group is currently available. The aim of this study was to assess the main available scientific evidence to support the Italian health authorities in implementing a program of free anti-MenB vaccination for adolescents. We conducted an overview of the scientific literature on epidemiology, disease burden, immunogenicity and safety of available vaccines, and economic evaluations of vaccination strategies. Each case of invasive meningococcal disease generates a considerable health burden (lethality rate: 9%; up to 60% of patients experience at least one sequela) in terms of impaired quality of life for survivors and high direct and indirect costs (the mean overall cost of acute phase for a single case amounts to about EUR 13,952; the costs for post-acute and the long-term phases may vary widely depending of the type of sequela, reaching an annual cost of about EUR 100,000 in cases of severe neurological damage). Furthermore, vaccination against meningococcus B in adolescence proved cost-effective. The study highlights the need to actively offer the anti-MenB vaccination during adolescence at a national level. This would make it possible to avoid premature deaths and reduce the high costs borne by the National Health Service and by society of supporting survivors who suffer temporary and/or permanent sequelae.
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IGIDBASHIAN S, BERTIZZOLO L, TOGNETTO A, AZZARI C, BONANNI P, CASTIGLIA P, CONVERSANO M, ESPOSITO S, GABUTTI G, ICARDI G, LOPALCO P, VITALE F, PARISI S, CHECCUCCI LISI G. Invasive meningococcal disease in Italy: from analysis of national data to an evidence-based vaccination strategy. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2020; 61:E152-E161. [PMID: 32802999 PMCID: PMC7419122 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2020.61.2.1589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is one of the most severe vaccine-preventable disease not yet under control. In Italy, although different anti-meningococcal vaccines are available, their offer among regions is heterogeneous. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of IMD in Italy based on analysis of national surveillance data for 2011-2017 to optimize the vaccination strategy. Methods IMD surveillance data from the Italian National Health Institute were analysed. Microsoft Excel was used to present trend analysis, stratifying by age and serogroups. Results In Italy, during the period 2011-2017, the incidence of IMD increased from 0.25 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2011 to 0.33 cases/100,000 in 2017. Most cases after 2012 were caused by non-B serogroups. The number of cases in subjects aged 25-64 years increased steadily after 2012 (36 cases in 2011, 79 in 2017), mostly due to non-B serogroups, representing more than 65% of cases in those aged 25+ years. Conclusions In the period from 2011 to 2017, the incidence of IMDs increased in Italy. The increase, probably due also to a better surveillance, highlights the importance of the disease in the adult population and the high level of circulation of non-B serogroups in particular after 2012. Our analysis supports an anti-meningococcal vaccination plan in Italy that should include the highest number of preventable serogroups and be aimed at vaccinating a wider population through a multicohort strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. IGIDBASHIAN
- Sanofi Pasteur, Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: Sarah Igidbashian, Sanofi Pasteur Italia, viale Luigi Bodio 37/b, 20158 Milan, Italy - E-mail:
| | | | - A. TOGNETTO
- Section of Hygiene, Institute of Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - C. AZZARI
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
- Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - P. BONANNI
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - P. CASTIGLIA
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy
| | - M. CONVERSANO
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Italy
| | - S. ESPOSITO
- Pediatric Clinic, Pietro Barilla Children’s Hospital, University of Parma, Italy
| | - G. GABUTTI
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy
| | - G. ICARDI
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Italy; IRCCS San Martino Policlinic Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - P.L. LOPALCO
- Department of Translational Research, New Technologies in Medicine & Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - F. VITALE
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Italy
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de Oliveira Bressane Lima P, van Lier A, de Melker H, Ferreira JA, van Vliet H, Knol MJ. MenACWY vaccination campaign for adolescents in the Netherlands: Uptake and its determinants. Vaccine 2020; 38:5516-5524. [PMID: 32593605 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 2015 and 2018 the incidence of meningococcal disease serogroup W increased tenfold in the Netherlands with the highest case fatality among adolescents and young adults. In 2018-2019 a national mass vaccination campaign, with recall after non-attendance, was implemented targeting 14-18-years old adolescents. This study estimated the MenACWY-vaccine uptake and investigated its determinants. METHODS The uptake before the start of the vaccination campaign was estimated from the number of vaccines administered by Municipal Health Services and dispensed by public pharmacies, and within the campaign from the national vaccination register. Possible determinants of uptake after the first invitation and recall were investigated among the first group invited for vaccination (born in May-December 2004) using random forest classification analysis. RESULTS The uptake was 86% (of which 1.9% before the campaign) among all eligible adolescents and 88% among the first group invited, including 5% uptake achieved after the recall. The most important predictor of vaccination after the first invitation was parents' country of birth (lower uptake when parents were born abroad, range: 52%-Morocco to 88%-Netherlands). The most important predictors among those recalled were, respectively, distance to vaccination location (lower uptake with larger distance, range: 4-6%), percentage of votes for the conservative Christian (reformed) party in the municipality (lower uptake with higher percentage, range: 4-5%) and parents' country of birth (higher uptake when parents were born abroad, range: 4%-Netherlands to 11%-Syria). CONCLUSIONS The MenACWY vaccination campaign for adolescents achieved a high uptake, with little vaccine use before the campaign. Parents' country of birth, votes for the conservative reformed political party and distance to the vaccination location were the most important predictors of vaccination. The recall strategy enhanced the uptake and was valuable to diminish immunization disparities. Future vaccination campaigns should put more effort into reaching adolescents with immigrant parents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alies van Lier
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hester de Melker
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - José A Ferreira
- Department of Statistics and Modelling, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hans van Vliet
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Mirjam J Knol
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
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10
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Ferreira VM, Ferreira ÍE, Chang HY, Nunes AMPB, Topaz N, Pimentel ER, Moura ARSS, Ribeiro GS, Feitosa CA, Reis MG, Wang X, Campos LC. Meningococcal carriage in young adults six years after meningococcal C conjugate (MCC) vaccine catch-up campaign in Salvador, Brazil. Vaccine 2020; 38:2995-3002. [PMID: 32115294 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.02.050] [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: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal carriage studies are important to improve the knowledge of disease epidemiology as well as to support appropriate vaccination strategies. We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence and genotypic characteristics of meningococci collected from young adults in Salvador, Brazil six years after a meningococcal C conjugate vaccine catch-up campaign. From August through November 2016, oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 407 students aged 1824 years attending a private college in Salvador, Brazil. Neisseria meningitidis was identified by standard microbiology methods and real time PCR. Genetic characteristics of meningococci were assessed by rt-PCR and/or whole genome sequencing. We also investigated potential factors associated with carriage. N. meningitidis was detectable in 50 students, 39 by both culture and rt-PCR, 7 by culture alone and 4 by rt-PCR alone, resulting in an overall meningococcal carriage prevalence of 12.3% (50/407). Carriage was independently associated with male sex (adjusted PR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.12-3.46; p = 0.018) and attending bars or parties at least once per month (aPR: 3.31; 95% CI: 1.49-7.38; p = 0.003). Molecular tests identified 92% (46/50) N. meningitidis as non-groupable, of which 63% (29/46) had the capsule null genotype; 14 NG isolates contained disrupted capsule backbones and belonged to the following genogroups: 7 B, 3 Z, 3 E and 1 W. One isolate belonged to genogroup C tested only by PCR; 3 isolates contained a complete B capsule backbones, 2 of which were determined to be NG by slide agglutination serogrouping. While most meningococcal carriage isolates were non-groupable, there was a high degree of genetic diversity present in the collection, as evidenced by 25 unique STs being detected. The carriage prevalence of meningococcal serogroup C was low among young adults. Continuous vaccination is important to maintain reduced meningococcal carriage and transmission, inducing herd protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Matos Ferreira
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - How-Yi Chang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Nadav Topaz
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Guilherme Sousa Ribeiro
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Mitermayer Galvão Reis
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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11
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Boccalini S, Bechini A, Sartor G, Paolini D, Innocenti M, Bonanni P, Panatto D, Lai PL, Zangrillo F, Marchini F, Lecini E, Iovine M, Amicizia D, Landa P. [Health Technology Assessment of meningococcal B vaccine (Trumenba ®) in adolescent in Italy]. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2019; 60:E1-E94. [PMID: 32047867 PMCID: PMC7007189 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.3s2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S Boccalini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - A Bechini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - G Sartor
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - D Paolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - M Innocenti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - P Bonanni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Firenze
| | - D Panatto
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - P L Lai
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - F Zangrillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - F Marchini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - E Lecini
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - M Iovine
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - D Amicizia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Genova
| | - P Landa
- Dipartimento di Economia, Università degli Studi di Genova
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12
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Santos-Neto JF, Ferreira VM, Feitosa CA, Martinez-Silveira MS, Campos LC. Carriage prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis in the Americas in the 21st century: a systematic review. Braz J Infect Dis 2019; 23:254-267. [PMID: 31344352 PMCID: PMC9427833 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that colonizes the human nasopharynx and is transmitted by respiratory droplets from asymptomatic or symptomatic carriers. Occasionally, the pathogen invades the mucosa and enters the bloodstream, causing invasive meningococcal disease, a life-threatening infection. While meningococcal colonization is the first step in the development of invasive disease, the risk factors that predict progression from asymptomatic to symptomatic status are not well-known. The present report aimed to describe the prevalence of N. meningitidis carriers throughout the Americas, emphasizing the risk factors associated with carrier status, as well as the most prevalent serogroups in each studied population. We conducted a systematic review by searching for original studies in the MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, LILACS and SciELO databases, published between 2001 and 2018. Exclusion criteria were articles published in a review format, case studies, case control studies, investigations involving animal models, and techniques or publications that did not address the prevalence of asymptomatic carriers in an American country. A total of 784 articles were identified, of which 23 were selected. The results indicate that the highest prevalence rates are concentrated in Cuba (31.9%), the United States (24%), and Brazil (21.5%), with increased prevalence found among adolescents and young adults, specifically university students and males. The present systematic review was designed to support epidemiological surveillance and prevention measures to aid in the formulation of strategies designed to control the transmission of meningococci in a variety of populations and countries throughout the Americas.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Francisco Santos-Neto
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz - FIOCRUZ, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Viviane Matos Ferreira
- Instituto Gonçalo Moniz - FIOCRUZ, Salvador, BA, Brazil; Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, BA, Brazil
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13
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Ambrosio L, Neri A, Fazio C, Rossolini GM, Vacca P, Riccobono E, Voller F, Miglietta A, Stefanelli P. Genomic analysis of Neisseria meningitidis carriage isolates during an outbreak of serogroup C clonal complex 11, Tuscany, Italy. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217500. [PMID: 31136624 PMCID: PMC6538176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2015–2016, a cross-sectional carriage survey was performed in Tuscany Region, Italy, during an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C clonal complex 11 (MenC:cc11). This study aims to evaluate the genomic profile of meningococcal carriage isolates collected during the survey. Methods Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using Illumina MiSeq on 85 cultivated meningococcal carriage isolates received at the Dept. of Infectious Disease, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), as National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD). De novo assembled genomes were scanned by the BIGSdb platform to assign: the genotypic profiles, the cgMLST, the vaccine antigen variants and allele types of antimicrobial resistance associated genes, together with denitrification pathway loci. Results Capsule null and non-groupable meningococci accounted for 52.9% and 10.6%, respectively. Among the remaining carriage isolates, serogroup B was the predominant (71.0%). Serogroup C meningococci were culture negative and unavailable for WGS. Overall, 64 genotypic profiles were identified and, based on cgMLST, isolates clustered according to clonal complexes. Eight isolates (9.4%) harbored at least one gene encoding a 4CMenB vaccine antigen. Mutated penA alleles were found in more than 82%. Finally, complete aniA and norB coding sequences were detected among 71.8% of carriage isolates. Conclusions Meningococcal carriage isolates collected during the MenC:cc11 outbreak were characterized by an extensive genetic diversity. The lack of outbreak-related isolates among carriage might be attributable to the high transmissibility with low duration of colonization of MenC:cc11 meningococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigina Ambrosio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Neri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Fazio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Riccobono
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Voller
- Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Epidemiologic Observatory, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Miglietta
- Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Epidemiologic Observatory, Florence, Italy
- Units of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Central Tuscany Health Authority, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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14
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Peterson ME, Li Y, Shanks H, Mile R, Nair H, Kyaw MH. Serogroup-specific meningococcal carriage by age group: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e024343. [PMID: 31005910 PMCID: PMC6500331 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neisseria meningitidis carriage prevalence has known variation across the lifespan, but it is unclear whether carriage varies among meningococcal capsular groups. Therefore, we aimed to characterise group-specific meningococcal carriage by age group and world region from 2007 to 2016. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health Database, WHO Global Health Library, Web of Science, Current Contents Connects, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang were systematically searched. Database searches were conducted through July 2018 and Google Scholar forward searches of included studies were conducted through August 2018. References of included studies and relevant conference abstracts were also searched to identify additional articles for inclusion. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported capsular group-specific meningococcal carriage in a healthy population of a specified age group and geographical region. For this review, only studies conducted between 2007 and 2016 were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data were independently extracted by two authors into Microsoft Access. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data. Studies eligible for inclusion in quantitative analyses by pre-specified age groups were pooled using random effects meta-analyses. Results are reported by capsular group, age group and WHO region. Where meta-analyses were not appropriate, study results were discussed narratively. RESULTS 7511 articles were identified and 65 were eligible for inclusion. Adolescents and young adults were the focus of many studies (n=24), especially in the Americas and Europe. Studies from China and Africa, typically, included data from a wider age range. The overall carriage prevalence varied markedly by age group and region. Based on the available data, 21 studies were included in meta-analyses reporting serogroup carriage for: all ages in Africa, 18-24-year olds in the Americas, and 11-17 and 18-24-year olds in Europe. Capsular groups W, X, Y and 'other' (non-ABCWXY, including non-groupable) were the most prevalent in Africa, and 5-17-year olds had higher carriage prevalence than other age groups. 'Other' serogroups (11.5%, 95% CI 1.6% to 16.1%) were the most common among 18-24-year olds from the Americas. In Europe, 18-24-year old were carriers more frequently than 11-17-year olds, and groups B (5.0%, 95% CI 3.0% to 7.5%), Y (3.9%, 95% CI 1.3% to 7.8%) and 'other' (6.4%, 95% CI 3.1% to 10.8%) were the most commonly carried in the older age group. CONCLUSIONS Of the age groups included in the analysis, carriage patterns by age were similar across capsular groups within a region but differed between regions. Data gaps remain for age- and capsular group-specific carriage in many regions, especially in the Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia. As such, clear and robust conclusions about the variation of capsular group-specific carriage by age group and WHO region were unable to be determined. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42017074671.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan E Peterson
- Centre for Global Health Research, University of Edinburgh School of Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - You Li
- Centre for Global Health Research, University of Edinburgh School of Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Heather Shanks
- Centre for Global Health Research, University of Edinburgh School of Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rebecca Mile
- Centre for Global Health Research, University of Edinburgh School of Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Harish Nair
- University of Edinburgh School of Molecular Genetic and Population Health Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Moe H Kyaw
- Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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Neri A, Fazio C, Ambrosio L, Vacca P, Barbui A, Daprai L, Vocale C, Santino I, Conte M, Rossi L, Ciammaruconi A, Anselmo A, Lista F, Stefanelli P. Carriage meningococcal isolates with capsule null locus dominate among high school students in a non-endemic period, Italy, 2012-2013. Int J Med Microbiol 2019; 309:182-188. [PMID: 30878541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningococcal disease incidence in Italy remains quite low in the overall population except for infants. Within a study on carriage isolates among high school students we aimed to define: i) the prevalence of carriage isolates, ii) the phenotypic and iii) the molecular features of meningococci by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). A total of 1697 pharyngeal samples from undergraduate students (age range 14-19 years) were collected from 2012 to 2013 from six larger cities in Italy. One hundred and twenty culture positive meningococci (7%) were analyzed. Carriage isolates were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) for PCR-based serogroup identification, Multilocus Sequence Typing, PorA and FetA typing. Moreover, factor H binding protein (fHbp), Neisseria Heparin Binding Antigen (NHBA) and Neisserial adhesin A (NadA) were typed. Core genome MLST (cgMLST) was performed on a subsample of 75 carriage isolates. Capsule null locus (cnl) predominated (47%), followed by serogroup B (27%). The antimicrobial susceptibility profile revealed an high prevalence of reduced susceptibility to penicillin G (54%) and a full susceptibility to ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin. Carriage isolates presented a high genetic diversity: the clonal complexes (ccs) cc1136, cc198 and cc41/44, were the predominant. An high heterogeneity was also observed for PorA and FetA types. The fhbp and nhba genes were identified in all the carriage isolates; only 5% of the carriage isolates presented the nadA gene. The core genome MLST analysis revealed that the majority of the cnl isolates clustered in a distinct group. The evidence gathered during this study provides the estimate of carriage isolates in high school students in a non-epidemic period in Italy that was lower than expected. Moreover, the highest proportion of carriage isolates were cnl and, overall, they were molecular heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Neri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Cecilia Fazio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Luigina Ambrosio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Annamaria Barbui
- Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, Molinette Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Daprai
- Microbiology Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Caterina Vocale
- Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Regional Reference Center for Microbiological Emergencies (CRREM), St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy
| | - Iolanda Santino
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University "Sapienza", Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Conte
- Microbiology Laboratory, AO "Ospedale Domenico Cotugno'', Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia Rossi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Anna Anselmo
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
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16
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Findlow J, Nuttens C, Kriz P. Introduction of a second MenB vaccine into Europe – needs and opportunities for public health. Expert Rev Vaccines 2019; 18:225-239. [DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1578217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Findlow
- Medical & Scientific Affairs – International Developed Markets, Pfizer Limited, Tadworth, UK
| | - Charles Nuttens
- Medical & Scientific Affairs – International Developed Markets, Pfizer, Paris, France
| | - Paula Kriz
- Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology – National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
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17
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Miglietta A, Innocenti F, Pezzotti P, Riccobono E, Moriondo M, Pecile P, Nieddu F, Rossolini GM, Azzari C, Balocchini E, Rezza G, Voller F, Stefanelli P. Carriage rates and risk factors during an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C ST-11 (cc11) in Tuscany, Italy: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:29. [PMID: 30621624 PMCID: PMC6323866 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3598-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background During 2015–2016 an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease due to N. meningitidis serogroup C ST-11 (cc11) occurred in Tuscany, Italy. The outbreak affected mainly the age group 20–30 years, men who have sex with men, and the area located between the cities of Firenze, Prato and Empoli, with discos and gay-venues associated-clusters. A cross-sectional-survey was conducted to assess the prevalence and risk factors for meningococcal-carriage, in order to address public health interventions. Methods A convenience sample of people aged 11–45 years provided oropharyngeal swab specimens and completed questionnaires on risk factors for meningococcal carriage during a 3 months study-period, conducted either in the outbreak-area and in a control-area not affected by the outbreak (cities of Grosseto and Siena). Isolates were tested by culture plus polymerase chain reaction. Serogroup C meningococcal isolates were further characterized using multilocus sequence typing. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for meningococcal carriage. Results A total of 2285 oropharyngeal samples were collected. Overall, meningococcal carriage prevalence was 4.8% (n = 110), with nonencapsulated meningococci most prevalent (2.3%; n = 52). Among encapsulated meningococci, serogroup B was the most prevalent (1.8%; n = 41), followed by serogroup Y (0.5%; n = 11) and serogroup C (0.2%; n = 4); one carrier of serogroup E and one of serogroup Z, were also found (0.04%). Three individuals from the city of Empoli were found to carry the outbreak strain, C:ST-11 (cc11); this city also had the highest serogroup C carriage prevalence (0.5%). At the multivariate analyses, risk factors for meningococcal carriage were: illicit-drugs consumption (AOR 6.30; p < 0.01), active smoking (AOR 2.78; p = 0.01), disco/clubs/parties attendance (AOR 2.06; p = 0.04), being aged 20–30 years (AOR 3.08; p < 0.01), and have had same-sex intercourses (AOR 6.69; p < 0.01). Conclusions A low prevalence of meningococcal serogroup C carriage in an area affected by an outbreak due to the hypervirulent N. meningitidis serogroup C ST-11 (cc11) strain was found. The city of Empoli had the highest attack-rate during the outbreak and also the highest meningococcal serogroup C carriage-prevalence due to the outbreak-strain. Multivariate analyses underlined a convergence of risk factors, which partially confirmed those observed among meningococcal outbreak-cases, and that should be considered in targeted immunization campaigns. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12879-018-3598-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Miglietta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. .,Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Epidemiologic Observatory, Via Pietro Dazzi, 1, Flroence, Italy. .,Units of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Central Tuscany Health Authority, Via di San Salvi , 12 - Palazzina 16 -, 50135, Florence, Italy.
| | - Francesco Innocenti
- Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Epidemiologic Observatory, Via Pietro Dazzi, 1, Flroence, Italy
| | - Patrizio Pezzotti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Riccobono
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Moriondo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Pecile
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Nieddu
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Azzari
- Laboratory of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Emanuela Balocchini
- Living Environment, Food and Veterinary Prevention and Safety Office, Tuscany Region, Via Taddeo Alderotti, 26/N, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rezza
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Voller
- Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Epidemiologic Observatory, Via Pietro Dazzi, 1, Flroence, Italy
| | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Kesanopoulos K, Bratcher HB, Hong E, Xirogianni A, Papandreou A, Taha MK, Maiden MCJ, Tzanakaki G. Characterization of meningococcal carriage isolates from Greece by whole genome sequencing: Implications for 4CMenB vaccine implementation. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209919. [PMID: 30592763 PMCID: PMC6310245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Herd protection, resulting from the interruption of transmission and asymptomatic carriage, is an important element of the effectiveness of vaccines against the meningococcus. Whilst this has been well established for conjugate polysaccharide vaccines directed against the meningococcal capsule, two uncertainties surround the potential herd protection provided by the novel protein-based vaccines that are used in place of serogroup B (MenB) polysaccharide vaccines (i) the strain coverage of such vaccines against carried meningococci, which are highly diverse; and (ii) the generation of a protective immune response in the mucosa. These considerations are essential for realistic estimates of cost-effectiveness of new MenB vaccines. Here the first of these questions is addressed by the whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis of meningococci isolated from healthy military recruits and university students in Greece. The study included a total of 71 MenB isolates obtained from 1420 oropharyngeal single swab samples collected from military recruits and university students on voluntary basis, aged 18-26 years. In addition to WGS analysis to identify genetic lineage and vaccine antigen genes, including the Bexsero Antigen Sequence Type (BAST), the isolates were examined with the serological Meningococcal antigen Typing System (MATS) assay. Comparison of these data demonstrated that the carried meningococcal population was highly diverse with 38% of the carriage isolates showed expression of antigens matching those included in the 4CMenB vaccine. Our data may suggest a limited potential herd immunity to be expected and be driven by an impact on a subset of carriage isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Kesanopoulos
- National Meningitis Reference Laboratory (NMRL), Dept of Public Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Holly B. Bratcher
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Hong
- Institute Pasteur, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Paris, France
| | - Athanasia Xirogianni
- National Meningitis Reference Laboratory (NMRL), Dept of Public Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Papandreou
- National Meningitis Reference Laboratory (NMRL), Dept of Public Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Martin C. J. Maiden
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Georgina Tzanakaki
- National Meningitis Reference Laboratory (NMRL), Dept of Public Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
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Breakwell L, Whaley M, Khan UI, Bandy U, Alexander-Scott N, Dupont L, Vanner C, Chang HY, Vuong JT, Martin S, MacNeil JR, Wang X, Meyer SA. Meningococcal carriage among a university student population - United States, 2015. Vaccine 2017; 36:29-35. [PMID: 29183735 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Several outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease have occurred among university students in recent years. In the setting of high coverage of the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine and prior to widespread use of serogroup B meningococcal vaccines among adolescents, we conducted surveys to characterize the prevalence and molecular characteristics of meningococcal carriage among university students. METHODS Two cross-sectional oropharyngeal carriage surveys were conducted among undergraduates at a Rhode Island university. Isolates were characterized using slide agglutination, real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR), and whole genome sequencing. Adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Poisson regression to determine risk factors for carriage. RESULTS A total of 1837 oropharyngeal specimens were obtained from 1478 unique participants. Overall carriage prevalence was 12.7-14.6% during the two survey rounds, with 1.8-2.6% for capsular genotype B, 0.9-1.0% for capsular genotypes C, W, or Y, and 9.9-10.8% for nongroupable strains by rt-PCR. Meningococcal carriage was associated with being male, smoking, party or club attendance, recent antibiotic use (inverse correlation), and recent respiratory infections. CONCLUSIONS In this university setting, the majority of meningococcal carriage was due to nongroupable strains, followed by serogroup B. Further evaluation is needed to understand the dynamics of serogroup B carriage and disease among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Breakwell
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States; Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Melissa Whaley
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Unab I Khan
- University Health Services, Brown University, 13 Brown Street, Providence, RI 02906, United States
| | - Utpala Bandy
- Rhode Island Department of Health, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908, United States
| | | | - Lynn Dupont
- University Health Services, Brown University, 13 Brown Street, Providence, RI 02906, United States
| | - Cindy Vanner
- Rhode Island Department of Health, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908, United States
| | - How-Yi Chang
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Jeni T Vuong
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Stacey Martin
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Jessica R MacNeil
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - Sarah A Meyer
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States.
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20
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Potential impact of the 4CMenB vaccine on oropharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis. J Infect 2017; 75:511-520. [PMID: 28987549 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.09.021] [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: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The analysis of the potential impact of the meningococcal vaccines in asymptomatic carriers has become one of the key aspects in the evaluation of new vaccines and of their impact on disease control. An important step in this direction is provided by the analysis of the sequence variability and surface-exposure of the 4CMenB (Bexsero®) vaccine antigens, as well as the cross-reactivity of vaccine induced antibodies, in isolates from healthy carriers. The Spanish Reference Laboratory, in collaboration with the University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander (Spain), carried out a meningococcal carrier survey between May 2010 and April 2012 (population aged 4 to 19 years). The present study was done on 60 meningococcal carrier strains representative of the overall strain panel obtained and compared to invasive strains isolated in Spain in the same time. We found quantifiable levels of fHbp and NHBA expression and immunologic cross-reactivity in 10% and 75% of analyzed carrier strains, respectively, so the potential impact of the 4CMenB vaccine on Spanish asymptomatic carrier strains is expected to be mediated by the NHBA antigen.
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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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Kim HW, Lee S, Kwon D, Cha J, Ahn JG, Kim KH. Characterization of Oropharyngeal Carriage Isolates of Neisseria meningitidis in Healthy Korean Adolescents in 2015. J Korean Med Sci 2017; 32:1111-1117. [PMID: 28581267 PMCID: PMC5461314 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.7.1111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The meningococcus carriage rate is age-dependent, with a high prevalence in adolescents and young adults. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the oropharyngeal carriage rate of meningococcus among healthy Korean adolescents and its relationship with several population characteristics. The survey was conducted from April to May 2015 among 1,460 first-year high-school students in 9 high schools located in Gyeonggi province, Korea. Each student answered a short questionnaire assessing risk factors for carriage, and posterior pharyngeal wall swab samples were obtained. These samples were cultured on meningococcus-selective media, with colonies resembling meningococci identified using the Vitek® MS system (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France). All isolates were characterized by molecular serogrouping and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Meningococci were identified from 3.4% (49/1,460) swabs. Current smokers had significantly higher carriage rates than non-smokers (8.2% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.002), and boys had significantly higher carriage rates than girls (4.4% vs. 1.6%, P = 0.004). Serogroup B was the most common serogroup, followed by serogroup C, then 29E and Y. Twenty-seven different sequence types (STs) were identified; the most common were ST-3091, ST-11278, and ST-44. These belonged to clonal complexes (CCs) 269, 32, and 41/44, respectively, known as the hypervirulent clones. Evaluating meningococcal carriage is important to understand the epidemiology of meningococcal disease; however, little data exist in Korea. Similar to western countries, meningococcal serogroup B has emerged in Korea, and hypervirulent clones were identified. It is necessary to monitor the genetic and serologic characteristics of circulating meningococci and to assess the potential strain coverage of meningococcal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wool Kim
- Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soyoung Lee
- Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Daeho Kwon
- Department of Microbiology, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Gangneung, Korea
| | - Jihei Cha
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jong Gyun Ahn
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Hyo Kim
- Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Study, Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Pavli A, Katerelos P, Maltezou HC. Meningococcal disease awareness and meningoccocal vaccination among Greek students planning to travel abroad. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2017; 31:/j/ijamh.ahead-of-print/ijamh-2017-0016/ijamh-2017-0016.xml. [PMID: 28598805 DOI: 10.1515/ijamh-2017-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective Students living in dormitories are at increased risk for meningococcal disease. Our aim was to evaluate Greek students planning to study abroad about their level of meningococcal disease awareness and attitudes and practices towards meningococcal vaccination. Methods We studied 231 Greek ERASMUS students using a questionnaire. Results Students had a mean number of 4.1 correct answers out of six questions. In particular 66.5% 79.3%, 72.3% and 82.3% of them answered correctly about the etiology, transmission, epidemiology and treatment of meningococcal disease, respectively. Only 23.4% were vaccinated, whereas 14.7% were planning to do so in the near future. Students who answered correctly ≥5 questions were more likely to be male, vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis and science students. Conclusion We found an overall good level of knowledge about meningococcal disease among Greek students planning to study or already studying abroad. Knowledge about meningococcal disease was associated with vaccine uptake. However, vaccination rate against meningococcal disease was low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Androula Pavli
- Travel Medicine Office, Department for Interventions in Healthcare Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Katerelos
- Department for Interventions in Health Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Helena C Maltezou
- Department for Interventions in Health-Care Facilities, Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 3-5 Agrafon Street, Athens, 15123 Greece, Phone: 30-210-5212-175
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24
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Gianchecchi E, Piccini G, Torelli A, Rappuoli R, Montomoli E. An unwanted guest:Neisseria meningitidis– carriage, risk for invasive disease and the impact of vaccination with insight on Italy incidence. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2017; 15:689-701. [DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2017.1333422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Piccini
- VisMederi Srl, Siena, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Torelli
- VisMederi Srl, Siena, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Srl, Siena, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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25
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Meningococcal Carriage in Military Recruits and University Students during the Pre MenB Vaccination Era in Greece (2014-2015). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167404. [PMID: 27907129 PMCID: PMC5131982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the study was to estimate the meningococcal carriage rate and to identify the genotypic characteristics of the strains isolated from healthy military recruits and university students in order to provide data that might increase our understanding on the epidemiology of meningococcus and obtain information which helps to evaluate the potential effects on control programs such as vaccination., Methods A total of 1420 oropharyngeal single swab samples were collected from military recruits and university students on voluntary basis, aged 18–26 years. New York City Medium was used for culture and the suspected N. meningitidis colonies were identified by Gram stain, oxidase and rapid carbohydrate utilization tests. Further characterisation was carried out by molecular methods (multiplex PCR, MLST, WGS). Results The overall carriage rate was of 12.7%; 15% and 10.4% for recruits and university students respectively. MenB (39.4%) was the most prevalent followed by MenY (12.8%) and MenW (4.4%). Among the initial 76 Non Groupable (NG) isolates, Whole Genome Sequence Analysis (WGS) revealed that 8.3% belonged to MenE, 3.3% to MenX and 1.1% to MenZ, while, 53 strains (29.4%) were finally identified as capsule null. Genetic diversity was found among the MenB isolates, with 41/44 cc and 35 cc predominating. Conclusion Meningococcal carriage rate in both groups was lower compared to our previous studies (25% and 18% respectively) with predominance of MenB isolates. These findings, help to further our understanding on the epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Greece. Although the prevalence of carriage seems to have declined compared to our earlier studies, the predominant MenB clonal complexes (including 41/44cc and 35cc) are associated with invasive meningococcal disease.
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Rizek CF, Luiz AM, Assis GRD, Costa SF, Levin AS, Lopes MH. COMPARISON OF METHODS TO IDENTIFY Neisseria meningitidis IN ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2016; 58:60. [PMID: 27680165 PMCID: PMC5048631 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201658060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a cause of several life-threatening
diseases and can be a normal commensal in the upper respiratory tract of healthy
carriers. The carrier rate is not well established especially because there is no
standard method for the isolation of N. meningitidis. Therefore, the
aim of this study was to compare identification methods for the carrier state. Two
swabs were collected from 190 volunteers: one was cultured and the other had DNA
extracted directly from the sample. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed
to determine species and serogroups and compared the results between the methods. PCR
for species determination used two pairs of primers and when there was only one
amplicon, it was sequenced. The culture technique was positive in 23 (12.1%) subjects
while the direct extraction method was positive in 132 (69.5%), p
< 0.001. Among the 135 subjects with positive N. meningitides
tests, 88 (65.2%) were serogroup C; 3 (2.2%) serogroup B; 5 (3.7%) were positive for
both serogroup B and C, and 39 (28.9%) did not belong to any of the tested
serogroups. In this study, PCR from DNA extracted directly from swabs identified more
N. meningitidis asymptomatic carriers than the culture technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila F Rizek
- University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Bacteriology (LIM-54). São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mails: ; ; ;
| | - André Machado Luiz
- University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mails: ;
| | - Gracilene Ramos de Assis
- University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Bacteriology (LIM-54). São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mails: ; ; ;
| | - Silvia Figueiredo Costa
- University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Bacteriology (LIM-54). São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mails: ; ; ;
| | - Anna Sara Levin
- University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Bacteriology (LIM-54). São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mails: ; ; ;
| | - Marta Heloisa Lopes
- University of São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mails: ;
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Gasparini R, Landa P, Amicizia D, Icardi G, Ricciardi W, de Waure C, Tanfani E, Bonanni P, Lucioni C, Testi A, Panatto D. Vaccinating Italian infants with a new multicomponent vaccine (Bexsero®) against meningococcal B disease: A cost-effectiveness analysis. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 12:2148-2161. [PMID: 27163398 PMCID: PMC4994748 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1160177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The European Medicines Agency has approved a multicomponent serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (Bexsero®) for use in individuals of 2 months of age and older. A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) from the societal and Italian National Health Service perspectives was performed in order to evaluate the impact of vaccinating Italian infants less than 1 y of age with Bexsero®, as opposed to non-vaccination. The analysis was carried out by means of Excel Version 2011 and the TreeAge Pro® software Version 2012. Two basal scenarios that differed in terms of disease incidence (official and estimated data to correct for underreporting) were considered. In the basal scenarios, we considered a primary vaccination cycle with 4 doses (at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age) and 1 booster dose at the age of 11 y, the societal perspective and no cost for death. Sensitivity analyses were carried out in which crucial variables were changed over probable ranges. In Italy, on the basis of official data on disease incidence, vaccination with Bexsero® could prevent 82.97 cases and 5.61 deaths in each birth cohort, while these figures proved to be three times higher on considering the estimated incidence. The results of the CEA showed that the Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) per QALY was €109,762 in the basal scenario if official data on disease incidence are considered and €26,599 if estimated data are considered. The tornado diagram indicated that the most influential factor on ICER was the incidence of disease. The probability of sequelae, the cost of the vaccine and vaccine effectiveness also had an impact. Our results suggest that vaccinating infants in Italy with Bexsero® has the ability to significantly reduce meningococcal disease and, if the probable underestimation of disease incidence is considered, routine vaccination is advisable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gasparini
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Paolo Landa
- b Department of Economics , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy.,c University of Exeter , Medical School , Exeter , UK
| | - Daniela Amicizia
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Icardi
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Walter Ricciardi
- d Institute of Hygiene and Public Health , Catholic University of Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy
| | - Chiara de Waure
- d Institute of Hygiene and Public Health , Catholic University of Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy
| | - Elena Tanfani
- b Department of Economics , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- e Department of Health Sciences , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | | | - Angela Testi
- b Department of Economics , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
| | - Donatella Panatto
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Genoa , Genoa , Italy
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Unveiling New Aspects of Meningococcal Carriage and Disease Prevention. J Clin Microbiol 2015; 54:2-4. [PMID: 26582827 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02776-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, two protein-based vaccines have been approved for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB). It is therefore important to study carefully if and how these pathogens respond to widespread vaccination. Traditionally, meningococci have been classified on the basis of capsular phenotypes, but variable levels of capsule expression can influence the results, mainly among MenB strains. In this issue, Jones and colleagues (J Clin Microbiol 54:25-34, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01447-15) compare whole-genome sequencing to traditional phenotypic methods of classifying meningococci. They demonstrate that for MenB in particular, sequencing-based methods are far superior to traditional methods, especially when it comes to characterizing carriage isolates. This has important implications for future surveillance.
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Mameli C, Galli E, Mantegazza C, Fabiano V, Zuccotti GV. The multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB): origin, composition, health impact and unknown aspects. Future Microbiol 2015; 10:1579-98. [DOI: 10.2217/fmb.15.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B is the main cause for meningococcal invasive disease in many parts of the world. Since 2013, a new multicomponent vaccine against meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) has been licensed in Europe, Australia, Canada, Chile, Uruguay, USA and Brazil with different immunization schedules. Clinical trials involving adults, adolescents, children and infants showed 4CMenB has a good immunogenicity and safety profile. Strain coverage estimates are similar to or better than other recently approved vaccines, ranging from 66% in Canada to 91% in Unites States. Some points still remain to be clarified such as the best immunization strategy, the effect of 4CMenB on carriage, the long-term persistence of protective bactericidal antibodies titers, long-term safety outcomes, the possible emergence of N. meningitidis escape mutants and the vaccine cost–effectiveness. In this review, we focus on the vaccine composition, clinical trials and suggested schedules, safety data, potential strain coverage and future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Mameli
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Via Castelvetro 32, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Erica Galli
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Via Castelvetro 32, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Mantegazza
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Via Castelvetro 32, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Fabiano
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Via Castelvetro 32, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital V. Buzzi, Via Castelvetro 32, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Gasparini R, Panatto D, Bragazzi NL, Lai PL, Bechini A, Levi M, Durando P, Amicizia D. How the Knowledge of Interactions between Meningococcus and the Human Immune System Has Been Used to Prepare Effective Neisseria meningitidis Vaccines. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:189153. [PMID: 26351643 PMCID: PMC4553322 DOI: 10.1155/2015/189153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, tremendous advancement in dissecting the mechanisms of pathogenicity of Neisseria meningitidis at a molecular level has been achieved, exploiting converging approaches of different disciplines, ranging from pathology to microbiology, immunology, and omics sciences (such as genomics and proteomics). Here, we review the molecular biology of the infectious agent and, in particular, its interactions with the immune system, focusing on both the innate and the adaptive responses. Meningococci exploit different mechanisms and complex machineries in order to subvert the immune system and to avoid being killed. Capsular polysaccharide and lipooligosaccharide glycan composition, in particular, play a major role in circumventing immune response. The understanding of these mechanisms has opened new horizons in the field of vaccinology. Nowadays different licensed meningococcal vaccines are available and used: conjugate meningococcal C vaccines, tetravalent conjugate vaccines, an affordable conjugate vaccine against the N. menigitidis serogroup A, and universal vaccines based on multiple antigens each one with a different and peculiar function against meningococcal group B strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Gasparini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - D. Panatto
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - N. L. Bragazzi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - P. L. Lai
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - A. Bechini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - M. Levi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - P. Durando
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - D. Amicizia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
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Meningococcal Antigen Typing System Development and Application to the Evaluation of Effectiveness of Meningococcal B Vaccine and Possible Use for Other Purposes. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:353461. [PMID: 26351645 PMCID: PMC4553328 DOI: 10.1155/2015/353461] [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] [Received: 11/24/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of the 4-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB) has required new assays for the reliable evaluation of the expression and cross-reactivity of those specific antigen variants that are predicted to be targeted by bactericidal antibodies elicited by the vaccine in different isolates. Existing laboratory techniques, such as multilocus sequence typing, are poorly suited to this purpose, since they do not provide information on the contribution of single vaccine components and therefore cannot be applied to estimate the potential coverage of the multicomponent vaccine. The hSBA, the only correlate of protection against invasive meningococcal disease accepted thus far, cannot conveniently be used to test large number of strains. To overcome these issues, the meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) has been specifically developed in order to predict 4CMenB coverage of individual meningococcus serogroup B strains. To date, MATS has proved advantageous for several reasons, including its ability to assess both qualitative and quantitative aspects of surface antigens of single strains in a highly reproducible, rapid, and resource-saving manner, while its shortcomings include a possible underestimation of 4CMenB coverage and the use of pooled sera to calculate the positive bactericidal threshold. This paper provides an overview of MATS development and its field application.
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GASPARINI R, AMICIZIA D, LAI P, PANATTO D. Meningococcal B vaccination strategies and their practical application in Italy. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2015; 56:E133-9. [PMID: 26788734 PMCID: PMC4755122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Immunisation against meningococcal meningitis has a long history, which has passed through several phases: the studies by Flexner, extraction of the polysaccharide capsule, the development of monovalent and multivalent conjugate vaccines, the outer membrane vesicle vaccines up to the development of effective and safe vaccines for meningococcal B invasive disease through the application of the techniques of molecular biology and reverse vaccinology. The new available vaccines are Bexsero® and Trumenba®. Bexsero ® has been approved and is available in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and Chile, and is currently under review in Brazil for the prevention of MenB invasive disease in subjects ≥ 2 months. Trumemba® is currently approved only in the USA, for use in adolescents and young adults. At present, the greatest obstacle to the extensive use of these vaccines in industrialised countries is the high cost and the need administer multiple doses in infants. However, in some European countries and in some Italian Regions, strategies (free and active call) to fight the disease through vaccination (Bexsero®) are already in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. GASPARINI
- Correspondence: Roberto Gasparini, Department of Health Sciences, Genoa University, via Pastore, 1, 16132 Genova, Italy - Tel. +39 010 3538527 - Fax +39 010 3538541 - E-mail:
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GABUTTI G, STEFANATI A, KUHDARI P. Epidemiology of Neisseria meningitidis infections: case distribution by age and relevance of carriage. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2015; 56:E116-20. [PMID: 26788731 PMCID: PMC4755119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Notwithstanding different meningococcal serogroups have changed their distribution and their impact in different age classes over time, N. meningitidis' invasive diseases are a major public health issue worldwide, due to the related complications and severe sequelae. Nowadays, the highest rates of invasive disease are registered in children younger than 1 year of age, with a second lesser peak in adolescents and young adults (15-25 years of age). On the contrary, the prevalence of carriage is low in newborns and in school-age children, and increases during adolescence and young-adult age; then it decreases again in older age. N. meningitidis' infection prevalence has greatly decreased in Europe and North America thanks to the use of conjugate vaccines (MenC and MenACWY) as well as the incidence of invasive disease due to serogroup A in sub-saharian Africa after the introduction of MenAfriVac conjugate vaccine. The great success of conjugate vaccines is related not only to the direct protection from disease but also to the impact on carriage; this latter allows an indirect protection of unimmunized subjects. For these reasons, the implementation of immunization with the new generation vaccines in the age classes most impacted by disease and carriage (first year of life, adolescence and young adulthood) could permit to achieve an extraordinary decrease of the incidence of meningococcal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. GABUTTI
- Correspondence: Giovanni Gabutti, c/o Dept. of Medical Sciences, via Fossato di Mortara 64b, 44121 Ferrara, Italy - Tel. +39 532 455568 - Fax 0039 532 205066 - E-mail:
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Rojas E, Hoyos J, Oldfield NJ, Lee P, Flint M, Jones CH, Ala’Aldeen DAA, Jansen KU, Anderson AS. Optimization of Molecular Approaches to Genogroup Neisseria meningitidis Carriage Isolates and Implications for Monitoring the Impact of New Serogroup B Vaccines. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132140. [PMID: 26147212 PMCID: PMC4493136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The reservoir for Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is the human oropharynx. Implementation of Nm serogroup C (NmC) glycoconjugate vaccines directly reduced NmC carriage. Prophylactic vaccines are now available to prevent disease caused by the five major Nm disease causing serogroups (ABCWY). Nm serogroup B (NmB) vaccines are composed of antigens that are conserved across Nm serogroups and therefore have the potential to impact all Nm carriage. To assess the effect of these vaccines on carriage, standardized approaches to identify and group Nm are required. Real-time PCR (rt-PCR) capsule grouping assays that were internally controlled to confirm Nm species were developed for eight serogroups associated with carriage (A, B, C, E, W, X, Y and Z). The grouping scheme was validated using diverse bacterial species associated with carriage and then used to evaluate a collection of diverse Nm carriage isolates (n=234). A scheme that also included porA and ctrA probes was able to speciate the isolates, while ctrA also provided insights on the integrity of the polysaccharide loci. Isolates were typed for the Nm vaccine antigen factor H binding protein (fHbp), and were found to represent the known diversity of this antigen. The porA rt-PCR yielded positive results with all 234 of the Nm carriage isolates. Genogrouping assays classified 76.5% (179/234) of these isolates to a group, categorized 53 as nongenogroupable (NGG) and two as mixed results. Thirty seven NGG isolates evidenced a disrupted capsular polysaccharide operon judged by a ctrA negative result. Only 28.6% (67/234) of the isolates were serogrouped by slide agglutination (SASG), highlighting the reduced capability of carriage strains to express capsular polysaccharide. These rt-PCR assays provide a comprehensive means to identify and genogroup N. meningitidis in carriage studies used to guide vaccination strategies and to assess the impact of novel fHbp containing vaccines on meningococcal carriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Rojas
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - Johanna Hoyos
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - Neil J. Oldfield
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Lee
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - Mike Flint
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - C. Hal Jones
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Kathrin U. Jansen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - Annaliesa S. Anderson
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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GABUTTI G. [Meningococcus B: control of two outbreaks by vaccination]. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2014; 55:35-41. [PMID: 25916017 PMCID: PMC4718325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The issue of an effective vaccine against Meningococcus B (MenB) has been overcome by identifying, with the "reverse vaccinology" methodology, some antigens able of inducing a response to the majority of MenB strains circulating in the world. The new 4-components MenB vaccine (4CMenB) has been approved in Europe, Australia and Canada, and included in international pediatric immunization schedules: Australia, Canada, UK. In Italy, the first regions that have recommended vaccination against MenB were Basilicata and Puglia. The management of epidemics/outbreaks requires the implementation of a rapid response by health authorities in respect of a medical emergency with a high impact, even emotional, on the population, as recently demonstrated in two American universities. The declaration of outbreak in place has been followed in both contexts by the adoption of a procedure for the use of the 4CMenB vaccine not yet licensed in the USA. It was thus possible to organize interventions of active prophylaxis in the two campuses, establishing the first large-scale use of the new 4CMenB vaccine and achieving, in a relatively short time, high rates of vaccination coverage. With around 14,000 students immunized with at least one dose, no safety issues have been reported following immunization. Besides, to date there have been no cases in subjects who have received the vaccine. As a result of the two outbreaks described, FDA is now evaluating for the extension of the use of the 4CMenB vaccine in adolescents and young adults in USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. GABUTTI
- Corrispondenza: Giovanni Gabutti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, via Fossato di Mortara 64b, 44121 Ferrara - Tel. +39 0532 455568 - Fax +39 0532 205066 - E-mail:
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