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Montero DA, Vidal RM, Velasco J, Carreño LJ, Torres JP, Benachi O. MA, Tovar-Rosero YY, Oñate AA, O'Ryan M. Two centuries of vaccination: historical and conceptual approach and future perspectives. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1326154. [PMID: 38264254 PMCID: PMC10803505 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1326154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past two centuries, vaccines have been critical for the prevention of infectious diseases and are considered milestones in the medical and public health history. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccination currently prevents approximately 3.5-5 million deaths annually, attributed to diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles. Vaccination has been instrumental in eradicating important pathogens, including the smallpox virus and wild poliovirus types 2 and 3. This narrative review offers a detailed journey through the history and advancements in vaccinology, tailored for healthcare workers. It traces pivotal milestones, beginning with the variolation practices in the early 17th century, the development of the first smallpox vaccine, and the continuous evolution and innovation in vaccine development up to the present day. We also briefly review immunological principles underlying vaccination, as well as the main vaccine types, with a special mention of the recently introduced mRNA vaccine technology. Additionally, we discuss the broad benefits of vaccines, including their role in reducing morbidity and mortality, and in fostering socioeconomic development in communities. Finally, we address the issue of vaccine hesitancy and discuss effective strategies to promote vaccine acceptance. Research, collaboration, and the widespread acceptance and use of vaccines are imperative for the continued success of vaccination programs in controlling and ultimately eradicating infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Montero
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roberto M. Vidal
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juliana Velasco
- Unidad de Paciente Crítico, Clínica Hospital del Profesor, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Formación de Especialista en Medicina de Urgencia, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Leandro J. Carreño
- Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Programa de Inmunología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan P. Torres
- Departamento de Pediatría y Cirugía Pediátrica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel A. Benachi O.
- Área de Biotecnología, Tecnoacademia Neiva, Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje, Regional Huila, Neiva, Colombia
| | - Yenifer-Yadira Tovar-Rosero
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Exactas y de la Educación, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Colombia
| | - Angel A. Oñate
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Miguel O'Ryan
- Programa de Microbiología y Micología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Shen Y, Chen M. Prevalence, sequence type, and quinolone resistance of Neisseria lactamica carried in children younger than 15 years in Shanghai, China. J Infect 2019; 80:61-68. [PMID: 31586462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2019.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neisseria lactamica has an important influence on carriage and antimicrobial susceptibility of N. meningitidis, a major pathogen of septicemia and meningitis. In China, quinolone resistance is highly prevalent in N. meningitidis but unknown in N. lactamica. This study investigates the carriage rate, sequence type, and ciprofloxacin resistance of N. lactamica in children in China. METHODS During 2014-2016, throat swabs were collected from 2,239 children in Shanghai. The ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations of the isolates were determined by the agar dilution method. RESULTS The overall carriage rate of N. lactamica was higher (8.9%) than that of N. meningitidis (0.9%) and peaked at two years (37.1%). The resistance frequency of N. lactamica to ciprofloxacin was 98.5% (197/200). There were 65 sequence types (STs). Clonal complex (cc) 640 (45.5%) dominated, while ST-14031 was predominant (37%, 74/200). All isolates possessed a GyrA mutation; 17 isolates (8.5%) harbored additionally a ParC mutation. Assigned to 39 different alleles, the gyrA sequences from these N. lactamica isolates formed an N. lactamica cluster, which also included eight alleles from N. meningitidis. CONCLUSION The N. lactamica isolates in China showed distinct characteristics with lower genetic diversity and a much higher prevalence of quinolone resistance than in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinfang Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingliang Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1380 West ZhongShan Road, Shanghai, 200336, China; Department of Microbiology, Shanghai Institutes of Preventive Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Moura ARSS, Kretz CB, Ferreira ÍE, Nunes AMPB, de Filippis I, de Moraes JC, Reis MG, McBride AJA, Wang X, Campos LC. Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Neisseria lactamica carried in 11-19 years old students in Salvador, Brazil. Int J Med Microbiol 2018; 308:454-458. [PMID: 29605532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria lactamica is a nonpathogenic commensal bacterium that is potentially associated with the development of natural immunity against N. meningitidis. However, the genetic variation present in natural populations of N. lactamica has not been fully investigated. To better understand its epidemiology and genetic variation, we studied N. lactamica carriage in 1200 students aged 11-19 years old in Salvador, Brazil. The carriage prevalence was 4.5% (54/1200), with no statistical difference among sex and age, although we observed a trend towards higher carriage prevalence among 11-year-old individuals. Whole genome sequence analysis revealed a high genetic diversity among the isolates, with the presence of 32 different STs, 28 (87.5%) of which were new. A total of 21/50 (42%) isolates belonged to three different clonal complexes. While none of the isolates contained nadA or fHpb alleles, we detected 21 FetA variants, 20 NhbA variants and two variants of PorB. The data provide detailed information on circulating N. lactamica isolates in adolescents in Brazil and are complementary to studies in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rafaela Silva Simões Moura
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BAHIA, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, 40296-710, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Cécilia Batmalle Kretz
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta GA 30333, USA
| | - Ítalo Eustáquio Ferreira
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BAHIA, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, 40296-710, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Amélia Maria Pithon Borges Nunes
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BAHIA, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, 40296-710, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Ivano de Filippis
- Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde - INCQS, FIOCRUZ, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil
| | - José Cássio de Moraes
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, 01220200, São Paulo SP, Brazil
| | - Mitermayer Galvão Reis
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BAHIA, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, 40296-710, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Alan John Alexander McBride
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BAHIA, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, 40296-710, Salvador BA, Brazil; Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário s/n, 96160-000, Pelotas RS, Brazil
| | - Xin Wang
- Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta GA 30333, USA
| | - Leila Carvalho Campos
- Laboratório de Patologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, FIOCRUZ-BAHIA, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, 40296-710, Salvador BA, Brazil.
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González-Miró M, Rodríguez-Noda LM, Fariñas-Medina M, Cedré-Marrero B, Madariaga-Zarza S, Zayas-Vignier C, Hernández-Cedeño M, Kleffmann T, García-Rivera D, Vérez-Bencomo V, Rehm BHA. Bioengineered polyester beads co-displaying protein and carbohydrate-based antigens induce protective immunity against bacterial infection. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1888. [PMID: 29382864 PMCID: PMC5789850 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20205-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of protein and carbohydrate antigens as vaccines can be improved via particulate delivery strategies. Here, protein and carbohydrate antigens used in formulations of vaccines against Neisseria menigitidis were displayed on in vivo assembled polyester beads using a combined bioengineering and conjugation approach. An endotoxin-free mutant of Escherichia coli was engineered to produce translational fusions of antigens (Neisseria adhesin A (NadA) and factor H binding protein (fHbp) derived from serogroup B) to the polyhydroxybutyrate synthase (PhaC), in order to intracellularly assemble polyester beads displaying the respective antigens. Purified beads displaying NadA showed enhanced immunogenicity compared to soluble NadA. Both soluble and particulate NadA elicited functional antibodies with bactericidal activity associated with protective immunity. To expand the antigen repertoire and to design a more broadly protective vaccine, NadA-PhaC beads were additionally conjugated to the capsular polysaccharide from serogroup C. Co-delivery of surface displayed NadA and the capsular polysaccharide induced a strong and specific Th1/Th17 mediated immune response associated with functional bactericidal antibodies. Our findings provide the foundation for the design of multivalent antigen-coated polyester beads as suitable carriers for protein and polysaccharide antigens in order to induce protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majela González-Miró
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, La Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bernd H A Rehm
- Institute of Fundamental Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
- Centre for Cell Factories and Biopolymers, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
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5
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Vossen M, Mitteregger D, Steininger C. Meningococcal pneumonia. Vaccine 2016; 34:4364-70. [PMID: 27443594 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis remains the most important cause of bacterial meningitis worldwide, particularly in children and young adults. The second most common and a potentially severe end-organ manifestation of invasive meningococcal disease (excluding systemic sepsis) is meningococcal pneumonia. It occurs in between 5% and 15% of all patients with invasive meningococcal disease and is thus the second most common non-systemic end-organ manifestation. To establish the diagnosis requires a high level of clinical awareness - the incidence is therefore very likely underreported and underestimated. This review of 344 meningococcal pneumonia cases reported in the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia between 1906 and 2015 presents risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, treatment, and prognosis of meningococcal pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Vossen
- Department of Medicine I, Div. of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dieter Mitteregger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Div. of Clinical Microbiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Steininger
- Department of Medicine I, Div. of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Vasquez AE, Manzo RA, Soto DA, Barrientos MJ, Maldonado AE, Mosqueira M, Avila A, Touma J, Bruce E, Harris PR, Venegas A. Oral administration of recombinant Neisseria meningitidis PorA genetically fused to H. pylori HpaA antigen increases antibody levels in mouse serum, suggesting that PorA behaves as a putative adjuvant. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:776-88. [PMID: 25750999 PMCID: PMC4514328 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1011011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane protein PorA from a Chilean strain was purified as a recombinant protein. PorA mixed with AbISCO induced bactericidal antibodies against N. meningitidis in mice. When PorA was fused to the Helicobacter pylori HpaA antigen gene, the specific response against H. pylori protein increased. Splenocytes from PorA-immunized mice were stimulated with PorA, and an increase in the secretion of IL-4 was observed compared with that of IFN-γ. Moreover, in an immunoglobulin sub-typing analysis, a substantially higher IgG1 level was found compared with IgG2a levels, suggesting a Th2-type immune response. This study revealed a peculiar behavior of the purified recombinant PorA protein per se in the absence of AbISCO as an adjuvant. Therefore, the resistance of PorA to proteolytic enzymes, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract, was analyzed, because this is an important feature for an oral protein adjuvant. Finally, we found that PorA fused to the H. pylori HpaA antigen, when expressed in Lactococcus lactis and administered orally, could enhance the antibody response against the HpaA antigen approximately 3 fold. These observations strongly suggest that PorA behaves as an effective oral adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel E Vasquez
- a Department of Biotechnology ; Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile ; Ñuñoa , Santiago , Chile
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7
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Gorringe AR. CanNeisseria lactamicaantigens provide an effective vaccine to prevent meningococcal disease? Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 4:373-9. [PMID: 16026250 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.4.3.373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria lactamica is a commensal organism that is closely related to Neisseria meningitidis, the causative agent of meningococcal disease. N. lactamica has many antigens in common with N. meningitidis, but it lacks a polysaccharide capsule and the serosubtyping antigen PorA. Carriage studies have demonstrated that N. lactamica is carried in the nasopharynx of young children at a time when meningococcal carriage is rare. However, natural immunity to meningococcal disease develops during this period and carriage of commensal Neisseria is implicated in the development of this immunity. Recent studies have characterized the antigens which may be responsible for inducing a crossreactive antibody response and have demonstrated that N. lactamica-based vaccines can protect in experimental models of meningococcal disease. The potential for these vaccines to be effective in preventing meningococcal disease is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Gorringe
- Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Health Protection Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JG, UK.
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8
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Genetic distribution of noncapsular meningococcal group B vaccine antigens in Neisseria lactamica. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2013; 20:1360-9. [PMID: 23803905 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00090-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The poor immunogenicity of the meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) capsule has led to the development of vaccines targeting subcapsular antigens, in particular the immunodominant and diverse outer membrane porin, PorA. These vaccines are largely strain specific; however, they offer limited protection against the diverse MenB-associated diseases observed in many industrialized nations. To broaden the scope of its protection, the multicomponent vaccine (4CMenB) incorporates a PorA-containing outer membrane vesicle (OMV) alongside relatively conserved recombinant protein components, including factor H-binding protein (fHbp), Neisseria adhesin A (NadA), and neisserial heparin-binding antigen (NHBA). The expression of PorA is unique to meningococci (Neisseria meningitidis); however, many subcapsular antigens are shared with nonpathogenic members of the genus Neisseria that also inhabit the nasopharynx. These organisms may elicit cross-protective immunity against meningococci and/or occupy a niche that might otherwise accommodate pathogens. The potential for 4CMenB responses to impact such species (and vice versa) was investigated by determining the genetic distribution of the primary 4CMenB antigens among diverse members of the common childhood commensal, Neisseria lactamica. All the isolates possessed nhba but were devoid of fhbp and nadA. The nhba alleles were mainly distinct from but closely related to those observed among a representative panel of invasive MenB isolates from the same broad geographic region. We made similar findings for the immunogenic typing antigen, FetA, which constitutes a major part of the 4CMenB OMV. Thus, 4CMenB vaccine responses may impact or be impacted by nasopharyngeal carriage of commensal neisseriae. This highlights an area for further research and surveillance should the vaccine be routinely implemented.
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9
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Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B vaccine development. Microb Pathog 2013; 57:33-40. [PMID: 23416222 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2013.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is an air-borne, gram-negative pathogen that actively invades its human host leading to the development of life-threatening pathologies. As one of the leading causes of death in the world, during an epidemic period N. meningitidis can be responsible for nearly 1000 new infections per 100,000 individuals. The bacterial species is further categorized into 13 serotypes, with five, A, B, C, W-135, and Y, being the most clinically relevant, causing the overwhelming majority of diseases. There are two contemporary, purified protein conjugate vaccines available that function by targeting serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y. Historically, serogroup B has posed a vaccination challenge; however, there are currently two vaccines in development able to target serotype B. This review will highlight N. meningitidis as a pathogen and explore the recent literature providing a current review of meningococcal vaccination development.
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10
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Bennett JS, Thompson EAL, Kriz P, Jolley KA, Maiden MCJ. A common gene pool for the Neisseria FetA antigen. Int J Med Microbiol 2008; 299:133-9. [PMID: 18718812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2008.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2007] [Revised: 04/10/2008] [Accepted: 06/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningococcal FetA is an iron-regulated, immunogenic outer membrane protein and vaccine component. The most diverse region of this protein is a previously defined variable region (VR) that has been shown to be immunodominant. In this analysis, a total of 275 Neisseria lactamica isolates, collected during studies of nasopharyngeal bacterial carriage in infants, were examined for the presence of a fetA gene. The fetA VR nucleotide sequence was determined for 217 of these isolates, with fetA apparently absent from 58 isolates, the majority of which belonged to the ST-624 clonal complex. The VR in N. lactamica was compared to the same region in N. meningitidis, N. gonorrhoeae, and a number of other commensal Neisseria. Identical fetA variable region sequences were identified among commensal and pathogenic Neisseria, suggesting a common gene pool, differing from other antigens in this respect. Carriage of commensal Neisseria species, such as N. lactamica, that express FetA may be involved in the development of natural immunity to meningococcal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Bennett
- Department of Zoology, The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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11
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Bennett JS, Callaghan MJ, Derrick JP, Maiden MCJ. Variation in the Neisseria lactamica porin, and its relationship to meningococcal PorB. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2008; 154:1525-1534. [PMID: 18451061 PMCID: PMC2885628 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.2007/015479-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
One potential vaccine strategy in the fight against meningococcal disease involves the exploitation of outer-membrane components of Neisseria lactamica, a commensal bacterium closely related to the meningococcus, Neisseria meningitidis. Although N. lactamica shares many surface structures with the meningococcus, little is known about the antigenic diversity of this commensal bacterium or the antigenic relationships between N. lactamica and N. meningitidis. Here, the N. lactamica porin protein (Por) was examined and compared to the related PorB antigens of N. meningitidis, to investigate potential involvement in anti-meningococcal immunity. Relationships among porin sequences were determined using distance-based methods and F(ST), and maximum-likelihood analyses were used to compare the selection pressures acting on the encoded proteins. These analyses demonstrated that the N. lactamica porin was less diverse than meningococcal PorB and although it was subject to positive selection, this was not as strong as the positive selection pressures acting on the meningococcal porin. In addition, the N. lactamica porin gene sequences and the protein sequences of the loop regions predicted to be exposed to the human immune system were dissimilar to the corresponding sequences in the meningococcus. This suggests that N. lactamica Por, contrary to previous suggestions, may have limited involvement in the development of natural immunity to meningococcal disease and might not be effective as a meningococcal vaccine component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Bennett
- The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research and Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Martin J Callaghan
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK
| | - Jeremy P Derrick
- Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, UK
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research and Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
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12
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Azurmendi HF, Vionnet J, Wrightson L, Trinh LB, Shiloach J, Freedberg DI. Extracellular structure of polysialic acid explored by on cell solution NMR. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:11557-61. [PMID: 17609375 PMCID: PMC1906721 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704404104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The capsular polysaccharide of the pathogens Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B and of Escherichia coli K1, alpha(2 --> 8) polysialic acid (PSA), is unusual, because when injected into adult humans, it generates little or no antibody. In contrast, people infected with these pathogens generate specific serum antibodies. A structural study on cells is used to address this anomaly by characterizing antigen structures in vivo. We introduce on cell multidimensional solution NMR spectroscopy for direct observation of PSA on E. coli bacteria. Using 13C,15N-labeled PSA, we applied a combination of heteronuclear NMR methods, such as heteronuclear single quantum coherence, HNCA, and HNCO, in vivo. Analysis reveals that free and cell-bound PSA are structurally similar, indicating that the poor immunogenicity of PSA is not due to major structural differences between cells and purified PSA. The 13C linewidths of PSA on cells are 2 to 3 times larger than the corresponding ones in free PSA. The possible implications of the differences between free and on cell PSA are discussed. In addition, we demonstrate the suitability of the method for in vivo kinetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo F. Azurmendi
- *Laboratory of Bacterial Polysaccharides, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448; and
| | - Justine Vionnet
- *Laboratory of Bacterial Polysaccharides, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448; and
| | - Lauren Wrightson
- *Laboratory of Bacterial Polysaccharides, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448; and
| | - Loc B. Trinh
- Biotechnology Unit, MSC 5522, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Joseph Shiloach
- Biotechnology Unit, MSC 5522, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Darón I. Freedberg
- *Laboratory of Bacterial Polysaccharides, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-1448; and
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13
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Tsang RSW, Henderson AM, Cameron ML, Tyler SD, Tyson S, Law DKS, Stoltz J, Zollinger WD. Genetic and antigenic analysis of invasive serogroup Y Neisseria meningitidis isolates collected from 1999 to 2003 in Canada. J Clin Microbiol 2007; 45:1753-8. [PMID: 17442798 PMCID: PMC1933026 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.02134-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2006] [Revised: 01/08/2007] [Accepted: 04/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One hundred forty serogroup Y Neisseria meningitidis isolates recovered from patients with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Canada from 1999 to 2003 were analyzed by genetic and serological methods. Seventy-four isolates (52.9%) belonged to serotype 2c, and most have serosubtype antigen P1.5,2 (37 isolates, 26%) or P1.5 (31 isolates, 22%). Forty-eight isolates (34.3%) belonged to serotype 14 and have serosubtype antigen P1.5,2 (13 isolates, 9%) or P1.5 (7 isolates, 5%) or were nonserosubtypeable (27 isolates, 19%). Thirteen isolates (9.3%) were nonserotypeable. Multilocus sequence typing identified two unrelated clonal populations of serogroup Y meningococci causing invasive disease in Canada: ST-23 and ST-167 clonal complexes. Almost all ST-167-related isolates were typed as 2c:P1.5, while strains of the ST-23 clonal complex were either serotype 14 or 2c but with the serosubtype antigen P1.5,2. In contrast to previous reports that patients with serogroup Y disease are usually older, 26% of the Canadian serogroup Y cases were found in the 10-to-19-year-old age group and another 11% were in the 20-to-39-year-old age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond S W Tsang
- Laboratory for Vaccine Preventable Bacterial Diseases, National Microbiology Laboratory, public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3E 3R2.
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14
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Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in the United States and worldwide. A serogroup A/C/W-135/Y polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine has been licensed in the United States since 1981 but has not been used universally outside of the military. On 14 January 2005, a polysaccharide conjugate vaccine that covers meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y was licensed in the United States for 11- to 55-year-olds and is now recommended for the routine immunization of adolescents and other high-risk groups. This review covers the changing epidemiology of meningococcal disease in the United States, issues related to vaccine prevention, and recommendations on the use of the new vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee H Harrison
- Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit, 521 Parran Hall, 130 Desoto St., University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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15
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Manchanda V, Gupta S, Bhalla P. MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE: HISTORY, EPIDEMIOLOGY, PATHOGENESIS, CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS, DIAGNOSIS, ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY AND PREVENTION. Indian J Med Microbiol 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/s0255-0857(21)02464-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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16
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Bennett JS, Griffiths DT, McCarthy ND, Sleeman KL, Jolley KA, Crook DW, Maiden MCJ. Genetic diversity and carriage dynamics of Neisseria lactamica in infants. Infect Immun 2005; 73:2424-32. [PMID: 15784588 PMCID: PMC1087434 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.4.2424-2432.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria lactamica, a harmless human commensal found predominantly in the upper respiratory tracts of infants, is closely related to Neisseria meningitidis, a pathogen of global significance. Colonization with N. lactamica may be responsible for the increase in immunity to meningococcal disease that occurs during childhood, when rates of meningococcal carriage are low. This observation has led to the suggestion that N. lactamica whole cells or components are potential constituents of novel meningococcal vaccines. However, the dynamics of carriage and population diversity of N. lactamica in children are poorly understood, presenting difficulties for the choice of representative isolates for use in vaccine development. This problem was addressed by the multilocus sequence typing of N. lactamica isolates from two longitudinal studies of bacterial carriage in infants. The studies comprised 100 and 216 subjects, with N. lactamica carriage monitored from age 4 weeks until age 96 weeks and from age 2 weeks until age 24 weeks, respectively. The maximum observed carriage rate was 44% at 56 weeks of age, with isolates obtained on multiple visits for the majority (54 of 75, 72%) of carriers. The N. lactamica isolates were genetically diverse, with 69 distinct genotypes recovered from the 75 infants. Carriage was generally long-lived, with an average rate of loss of under 1% per week during the 28 weeks following acquisition. Only 11 of the 75 infants carried more than one genotypically unique isolate during the course of the study. Some participants shared identical isolates with siblings, but none shared identical isolates with their parents. These findings have implications for the design of vaccines based on this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Bennett
- The Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research and Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Rd., Oxford OX1 3SY, United Kingdom
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17
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Lauvrak V, Berntzen G, Heggelund U, Herstad TK, Sandin RH, Dalseg R, Rosenqvist E, Sandlie I, Michaelsen TE. Selection and Characterization of Cyclic Peptides that Bind to a Monoclonal Antibody Against Meningococcal L3,7,9 lipopolysaccharides. Scand J Immunol 2004; 59:373-84. [PMID: 15049781 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2004.01400.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
There is still no general vaccine for prevention of disease caused by group-B meningococcal strains. Meningococcal lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) have received attention as potential vaccine candidates, but concerns regarding their safety have been raised. Peptide mimics of LPS epitopes may represent safe alternatives to immunization with LPS. The monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 9-2-L3,7,9 specific for Neisseria meningitidis LPS immunotype L3,7,9 is bactericidal and does not cross-react with human tissue. To explore the possibility of isolating peptide mimics of the epitope recognized by MoAb 9-2-L3,7,9, we have constructed two phage display libraries of six and nine random amino acids flanked by cysteines. Furthermore, we developed a system for the easy exchange of peptide-encoding sequences from the phage-display system to a hepatitis B core (HBc) expression system. Cyclic peptides that specifically bound MoAb 9-2-L3,7,9 at a site overlapping with the LPS-binding site were selected from both libraries. Three out of four tested peptides which reacted with MoAb 9-2-L3,7,9 were successfully presented as fusions to the immunodominant loop of HBc particles expressed in Escherichia coli. However, both peptide conjugates to keyhole limpet haemocyanin and HBc particle fusions failed to give an anti-LPS response in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lauvrak
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway.
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18
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Li Y, Sun YH, Ison C, Levine MM, Tang CM. Vaccination with attenuated Neisseria meningitidis strains protects against challenge with live Meningococci. Infect Immun 2004; 72:345-51. [PMID: 14688114 PMCID: PMC344009 DOI: 10.1128/iai.72.1.345-351.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent infection with serogroup B N. meningitidis strains, the leading cause of meningococcal meningitis in Europe and North America. Here we describe the construction and characterization of two attenuated serogroup B N. meningitidis strains, YH102 (MC58deltasia deltarfaF) and YH103 (MC58deltasia deltametH). Both strains are markedly attenuated in their capacity to cause bacteremia in rodent models and have a reduced ability to survive in a human whole-blood assay. Immunization of adult mice with these strains leads to the development of bactericidal antibodies and confers sterilizing protection against challenge with homologous live bacteria. Furthermore, we show that the strains confer protection against infection by other serogroups. Use of the attenuated strains in animals with gene knockouts or after depletion of immunological effectors could be used to define the basis of protection, and human volunteer studies could be undertaken to examine the immune response following exposure to this important human pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanwen Li
- Centre for Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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19
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Davenport V, Guthrie T, Findlow J, Borrow R, Williams NA, Heyderman RS. Evidence for Naturally Acquired T Cell-Mediated Mucosal Immunity toNeisseria meningitidis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2003; 171:4263-70. [PMID: 14530350 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.171.8.4263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Naturally acquired protective immunity against Neisseria meningitidis is thought to partially explain the disparity between the high levels of carriage in the human nasopharynx and the rare incidence of disease. To investigate this immunity to Neisseria meningitidis at the mucosal level, in vitro cellular responses to outer membrane vesicle preparations derived from this pathogen were examined using mononuclear cells from the palatine tonsils of adults and children. Characterization of these responses was achieved by depletion of CD45RA(+), CD45RO(+), and CD19(+) populations and outer membrane vesicles derived from isogenic mutants expressing different serosubtypes of the major outer membrane protein, porin A (PorA), no PorA and membrane preparations from a mutant with no LPS (LpxA(-)). The magnitude of cellular proliferative responses against the outer membrane vesicles were strongly associated with age and were largely T cell mediated, involving both CD45RO(+) and CD45RA(+) T cell phenotypes. Responses were not dependent on LPS but consisted of both PorA cross-specific and non-PorA-dependent responses. Cellular immunity against Neisseria meningitidis was found to be frequently associated with systemic IgG Abs but was not associated with serum bactericidal Abs. For the first time our results demonstrate an age-associated acquisition of mucosal T effector/memory cell responses to Neisseria meningitidis. This mucosal cellular immunity can be present in the absence of serum bactericidal Abs, a classical marker of protective immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Davenport
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.
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20
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Healy CM, Butler KM, Smith EO, Hensey OP, Bate T, Moloney AC, MacMahon P, Cosgrove J, Cafferkey MT. Influence of serogroup on the presentation, course, and outcome of invasive meningococcal disease in children in the Republic of Ireland, 1995-2000. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 34:1323-30. [PMID: 11981727 DOI: 10.1086/340050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2001] [Revised: 01/07/2002] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To test the hypothesis that the infecting meningococcal serogroup modulates the presentation, course, and outcome of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), we performed a retrospective review of cases of IMD in 407 children from 2 tertiary referral centers and 2 regional centers in Ireland. Patients infected with serogroup C meningococci (n=104) were older than those infected with serogroup B (n=303; median, 2.5 vs. 1.5 years; P=.04); all other demographic and clinical parameters were similar for the 2 groups. Among serogroup B patients, mortality was 3.6% and morbidity was 10%; for serogroup C patients, mortality was 4.8% and morbidity was 12.5% (P=.81 and P=.76, respectively). Serogroup C-associated sequelae more often were multiple (P=.003). Despite the introduction of serogroup C conjugate vaccine into the routine immunization schedule of some countries, ongoing morbidity from IMD is anticipated, because group B disease was very similar to group C disease in this pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mary Healy
- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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21
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Bhasin N, Ho Y, Wetzler LM. Neisseria meningitidis lipopolysaccharide modulates the specific humoral immune response to neisserial porins but has no effect on porin-induced upregulation of costimulatory ligand B7-2. Infect Immun 2001; 69:5031-6. [PMID: 11447183 PMCID: PMC98597 DOI: 10.1128/iai.69.8.5031-5036.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the specific humoral response to meningococcal porins was investigated by measuring anti-PorA or -PorB antibody levels in mice immunized with wild-type meningococcal strain H44/76 or with its recently described LPS-negative mutant. Two murine strains were used for these immunizations: C3H/HeJ, which is LPS hyporesponsive, or C3H/HeOuJ, which is LPS responsive. A high level of anti-PorB immunoglobulin G (IgG) response was induced in both strains of mice immunized with either organism. The response induced by the wild-type strain was greater in C3H/HeOuJ mice than in C3H/HeJ mice, while the response induced by the LPS-negative mutant was similar in the two murine strains. Additionally, the anti-PorB response was similar in C3H/HeJ mice immunized with either bacterial strain. In general, the anti-PorA IgG response was lower than the anti-PorB response. These findings indicate that the presence of LPS is not essential for the induction of an antineisserial porin humoral response but can augment such a response. To determine whether LPS has any effect on the B-cell-stimulatory effect of neisserial porins (essential for the adjuvant activity of neisserial porins), B cells from both murine strains were incubated with outer membrane complexes (OMCs) prepared from strain H44/76 and its LPS-negative mutant. OMCs from either meningococcal strain were able to increase the surface expression of the costimulatory ligand B7-2 on B cells from either murine strain. Consistent with previously reported findings, LPS does not significantly affect the ability of neisserial porins to induce the costimulatory ligand B7-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bhasin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine and Evans Biomedical Research Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
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22
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Carrol ED, Thomson AP, Hart CA. New therapies and vaccines for meningococcal disease. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2001; 10:1487-500. [PMID: 11772264 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.10.8.1487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal disease (MCD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology consists of a complex interaction of bacterial and host factors, triggered by the release of endotoxin which initiates the inflammatory cascade, resulting in multi-organ failure, coagulopathy, capillary leak, metabolic derangement and eventually death. Prompt recognition and aggressive management are essential in reducing mortality. Over the past decade, there has been intense research into novel therapies and vaccines, with largely disappointing results. Therapies have been broadly divided into anti-endotoxin and anti-TNF-alpha therapies, treatment aimed at correcting coagulopathy and at blood purification and anti-inflammatory cytokine therapy. The reasons for the disappointing results in the search for new therapeutic strategies are difficult to identify. The disordered physiology in MCD results from a complex interaction of several mediators; therefore attempts to correct this by altering just one step represents a gross oversimplification of the process. In addition, the experimental model of endotoxaemia, which is often used, is a poor representation of an acutely ill patient with rapidly progressive shock. There have been several small or poorly designed trials, which have failed to reach definite conclusions. In order to yield conclusive results any future trials must be multicentre, randomised, controlled trials, but these are expensive and, in practice, difficult to conduct. The BPI trial (vide infra) was a significant step forward in this regard and demonstrated the ability to organise a large multicentred trial which can act as a template for future trials. Although the results were not significant there was an overall trend towards improved outcome in the treatment arm. Whilst the development of effective therapies and vaccines are awaited, the priorities at present must be the prompt recognition and aggressive management of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Carrol
- Institute of Child Health, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital, NHS Trust (Alder Hey), Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, Liverpool, UK.
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Rosenstein
- Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, Division of Bacterial and Myocotic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
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24
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Turner PC, Thomas CE, Stojiljkovic I, Elkins C, Kizel G, Ala'Aldeen DAA, Sparling PF. Neisserial TonB-dependent outer-membrane proteins: detection, regulation and distribution of three putative candidates identified from the genome sequences. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2001; 147:1277-1290. [PMID: 11320131 DOI: 10.1099/00221287-147-5-1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Computer searches were carried out of the gonococcal and meningococcal genome databases for previously unknown members of the TonB-dependent family (Tdf) of outer-membrane receptor proteins. Seven putative non-contiguous genes were found and three of these (identified in gonococcal strain FA1090) were chosen for further study. Consensus motif analysis of the peptide sequences was consistent with the three genes encoding TonB-dependent receptors. In view of the five previously characterized TonB-dependent proteins of pathogenic neisseriae, the putative genes were labelled tdfF, tdfG and tdfH. TdfF had homology with the siderophore receptors FpvA of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and FhuE of Escherichia coli, whereas TdfG and TdfH had homology with the haemophore receptor HasR of Serratia marcescens. The aim of this project was to characterize these proteins and determine their expression, regulation, distribution and surface exposure. Strain surveys of iron-stressed commensal and pathogenic neisseriae revealed that TdfF is unlikely to be expressed, TdfG is expressed by gonococci only and that TdfH is expressed by both meningococci and gonococci. Expression of TdfH was unaffected by iron availability. Susceptibility of TdfH to cleavage by proteases in live gonococci was consistent with surface exposure of this protein. TdfH may function as a TonB-dependent receptor for a non-iron nutrient source. Furthermore, TdfH is worthy of future investigation as a potential meningococcal vaccine candidate as it is a highly conserved, widely distributed and surface-exposed outer-membrane protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul C Turner
- Meningococcal Research Group, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham, University Hospital, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK4
- Departments of Medicine1 and Microbiology and Immunology3, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Christopher E Thomas
- Departments of Medicine1 and Microbiology and Immunology3, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Igor Stojiljkovic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 1510 Clifton Road, Emory University, AK 30322, USA2
| | - Christopher Elkins
- Departments of Medicine1 and Microbiology and Immunology3, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Goksel Kizel
- Meningococcal Research Group, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham, University Hospital, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK4
| | - Dlawer A A Ala'Aldeen
- Meningococcal Research Group, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Nottingham, University Hospital, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK4
| | - P F Sparling
- Departments of Medicine1 and Microbiology and Immunology3, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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25
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Abstract
Although meningococcal disease is rare in industrialized nations, Neisseria meningitidis holds a prominent position amongst pediatric infections because of the dramatic clinical presentation of the disease, high mortality, epidemic potential and the recent disappearance of many other important infectious diseases in developed countries through improvements in public health and vaccination. The precise nature of natural immunity to meningococci remains unknown, although a complex interaction between the organism and nasopharyngeal mucosal barrier, innate immune mechanisms and acquired immunity is involved. Study of the mechanisms of natural immunity may provide the key to development of vaccines that can reduce the burden of disease in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Pollard
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, British Columbia's Children's Hospital, British Columbia Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health, 950, West 28th Avenue, Room 375, BC V5Z 4H4, Vancouver,
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26
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Abstract
Use of conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines has resulted in the near elimination of Hib invasive disease among infants in the United States in only 10 years, which places this intervention among the most notable public health achievements of the past decade. This has radically altered our perception of the major causes of bacterial meningitis and invasive bacterial disease among children, increasing the prominence of meningococcal disease as an important cause of childhood and adult meningitis and leading researchers to apply the same conjugate technology to the development of improved vaccines for Neisseria meningitidis. Use of conjugated meningococcal vaccines against serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 are expected to offer the possibility of better control of sporadic disease and outbreaks throughout developed and developing countries within the next 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- N E Rosenstein
- Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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27
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Update on meningococcal disease with emphasis on pathogenesis and clinical management. Clin Microbiol Rev 2000. [PMID: 10627495 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.13.1.144-166.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The only natural reservoir of Neisseria meningitidis is the human nasopharyngeal mucosa. Depending on age, climate, country, socioeconomic status, and other factors, approximately 10% of the human population harbors meningococci in the nose. However, invasive disease is relatively rare, as it occurs only when the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) contact with a virulent strain, (ii) colonization by that strain, (iii) penetration of the bacterium through the mucosa, and (iv) survival and eventually outgrowth of the meningococcus in the bloodstream. When the meningococcus has reached the bloodstream and specific antibodies are absent, as is the case for young children or after introduction of a new strain in a population, the ultimate outgrowth depends on the efficacy of the innate immune response. Massive outgrowth leads within 12 h to fulminant meningococcal sepsis (FMS), characterized by high intravascular concentrations of endotoxin that set free high concentrations of proinflammatory mediators. These mediators belonging to the complement system, the contact system, the fibrinolytic system, and the cytokine system induce shock and diffuse intravascular coagulation. FMS can be fatal within 24 h, often before signs of meningitis have developed. In spite of the increasing possibilities for treatment in intensive care units, the mortality rate of FMS is still 30%. When the outgrowth of meningococci in the bloodstream is impeded, seeding of bacteria in the subarachnoidal compartment may lead to overt meningitis within 24 to 36 h. With appropriate antibiotics and good clinical surveillance, the mortality rate of this form of invasive disease is 1 to 2%. The overall mortality rate of meningococcal disease can only be reduced when patients without meningitis, i.e., those who may develop FMS, are recognized early. This means that the fundamental nature of the disease as a meningococcus septicemia deserves more attention.
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28
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Coen PG, Cartwright K, Stuart J. Mathematical modelling of infection and disease due to Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica. Int J Epidemiol 2000; 29:180-8. [PMID: 10750621 DOI: 10.1093/ije/29.1.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive meningococcal disease, due to Neisseria meningitidis, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in young children and adolescents. Nasopharyngeal carriage of meningococci (MC), is most prevalent in young adults whereas carriage of Neisseria lactamica (LC), a related non-pathogenic organism, is most prevalent in young children. The objective of this study was to use modelling techniques to test hypotheses on the processes that govern the incidence of meningococcal disease (MD). METHODS Deterministic compartmental models were fitted to age structured data sets of MC, LC and MD. RESULTS The model most consistent with the available data sets is one where LC inhibits MC, an inhibition that lasts for a mean of 4.7 years. The hypothesis that LC also acts as a natural immunogen against MD was consistent with this model. The second peak of MD observed among adolescents could be due to the peak in the acquisition of MC in this age group. CONCLUSIONS The role of LC as a natural immunogen against asymptomatic and symptomatic meningococcal infection was consistent with available field data. If the introduction of novel meningococcal vaccines into a population changes the prevalence of MC or LC, this could have a substantial impact on the effectiveness of immunization programmes. This paper demonstrates the potential utility of modelling to estimate these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G Coen
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Epidemiology and Infectious Disease, Zoology Department, Oxford University, UK
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29
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van Deuren M, Brandtzaeg P, van der Meer JW. Update on meningococcal disease with emphasis on pathogenesis and clinical management. Clin Microbiol Rev 2000; 13:144-66, table of contents. [PMID: 10627495 PMCID: PMC88937 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.13.1.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The only natural reservoir of Neisseria meningitidis is the human nasopharyngeal mucosa. Depending on age, climate, country, socioeconomic status, and other factors, approximately 10% of the human population harbors meningococci in the nose. However, invasive disease is relatively rare, as it occurs only when the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) contact with a virulent strain, (ii) colonization by that strain, (iii) penetration of the bacterium through the mucosa, and (iv) survival and eventually outgrowth of the meningococcus in the bloodstream. When the meningococcus has reached the bloodstream and specific antibodies are absent, as is the case for young children or after introduction of a new strain in a population, the ultimate outgrowth depends on the efficacy of the innate immune response. Massive outgrowth leads within 12 h to fulminant meningococcal sepsis (FMS), characterized by high intravascular concentrations of endotoxin that set free high concentrations of proinflammatory mediators. These mediators belonging to the complement system, the contact system, the fibrinolytic system, and the cytokine system induce shock and diffuse intravascular coagulation. FMS can be fatal within 24 h, often before signs of meningitis have developed. In spite of the increasing possibilities for treatment in intensive care units, the mortality rate of FMS is still 30%. When the outgrowth of meningococci in the bloodstream is impeded, seeding of bacteria in the subarachnoidal compartment may lead to overt meningitis within 24 to 36 h. With appropriate antibiotics and good clinical surveillance, the mortality rate of this form of invasive disease is 1 to 2%. The overall mortality rate of meningococcal disease can only be reduced when patients without meningitis, i.e., those who may develop FMS, are recognized early. This means that the fundamental nature of the disease as a meningococcus septicemia deserves more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M van Deuren
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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30
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31
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Diaz Romero J, Outschoorn IM. Current status of meningococcal group B vaccine candidates: capsular or noncapsular? Clin Microbiol Rev 1994; 7:559-75. [PMID: 7834605 PMCID: PMC358341 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.7.4.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningococcal meningitis is a severe, life-threatening infection for which no adequate vaccine exists. Current vaccines, based on the group-specific capsular polysaccharides, provide short-term protection in adults against serogroups A and C but are ineffective in infants and do not induce protection against group B strains, the predominant cause of infection in western countries, because the purified serogroup B polysaccharide fails to elicit human bactericidal antibodies. Because of the poor immunogenicity of group B capsular polysaccharide, different noncapsular antigens have been considered for inclusion in a vaccine against this serogroup: outer membrane proteins, lipooligosaccharides, iron-regulated proteins, Lip, pili, CtrA, and the immunoglobulin A proteases. Alternatively, attempts to increase the immunogenicity of the capsular polysaccharide have been made by using noncovalent complexes with outer membrane proteins, chemical modifications, and structural analogs. Here, we review the strategies employed for the development of a vaccine for Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B; the difficulties associated with the different approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Diaz Romero
- Unidad de Respuesta Immune, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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