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Borrow R, Findlow J. The important lessons lurking in the history of meningococcal epidemiology. Expert Rev Vaccines 2024; 23:445-462. [PMID: 38517733 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2024.2329618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a rare but potentially fatal illness, is typically described as unpredictable and subject to sporadic outbreaks. AREAS COVERED Meningococcal epidemiology and vaccine use during the last ~ 200 years are examined within the context of meningococcal characterization and classification to guide future IMD prevention efforts. EXPERT OPINION Historical and contemporary data highlight the dynamic nature of meningococcal epidemiology, with continued emergence of hyperinvasive clones and affected regions. Recent shifts include global increases in serogroup W disease, meningococcal antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and meningococcal urethritis; additionally, unvaccinated populations have experienced disease resurgences following lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Despite these changes, a close analysis of meningococcal epidemiology indicates consistent dominance of serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y and elevated IMD rates among infants and young children, adolescents/young adults, and older adults. Demonstrably effective vaccines against all 5 major disease-causing serogroups are available, and their prophylactic use represents a powerful weapon against IMD, including AMR. The World Health Organization's goal of defeating meningitis by the year 2030 demands broad protection against IMD, which in turn indicates an urgent need to expand meningococcal vaccination programs across major disease-causing serogroups and age-related risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UKHSA, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Jamie Findlow
- Global Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Antivirals, Pfizer Ltd, Tadworth, UK
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Kassianos G, Barasheed O, Abbing-Karahagopian V, Khalaf M, Ozturk S, Banzhoff A, Badur S. Meningococcal B Immunisation in Adults and Potential Broader Immunisation Strategies: A Narrative Review. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:2193-2219. [PMID: 37428339 PMCID: PMC10581987 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00836-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant vaccines against invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) have shown substantial impact in reducing MenB disease in targeted populations. 4CMenB targets four key N. meningitidis protein antigens; human factor H binding protein (fHbp), Neisserial heparin binding antigen (NHBA), Neisseria adhesin A (NadA) and the porin A protein (PorA P1.4), with one or more of these expressed by most pathogenic MenB strains, while MenB-FHbp targets two distinct fHbp variants. While many countries recommend MenB immunisation in adults considered at high risk due to underlying medical conditions or immunosuppression, there are no recommendations for routine use in the general adult population. We reviewed the burden of MenB in adults, where, while incidence rates remain low (and far lower than in young children < 5 years of age at greatest risk), a substantial proportion of MenB cases (20% or more) is now observed in the adult population; evident in Europe, Australia, and in the United States. We also reviewed immunogenicity data in adults from clinical studies conducted during MenB vaccine development and subsequent post-licensure studies. A 2-dose schedule of 4CMenB generates hSBA titres ≥ 1:4 towards all four key vaccine target antigens in up to 98-100% of subjects. For MenB-FHbp, a ≥ fourfold rise in hSBA titres against the four primary representative test strains was observed in 70-95% of recipients following a 3-dose schedule. While this suggests potential benefits for MenB immunisation if used in adult populations, data are limited (especially for adults > 50 years) and key aspects relating to duration of protection remain unclear. Although a broader adult MenB immunisation policy could provide greater protection of the adult population, additional data are required to support policy decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Kassianos
- Royal College of General Practitioners, London, UK
- The British Global and Travel Health Association, London, UK
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Lodi L, Barbati F, Amicizia D, Baldo V, Barbui AM, Bondi A, Costantino C, Da Dalt L, Ferrara L, Fortunato F, Guarnieri V, Icardi G, Indolfi G, Martinelli D, Martini M, Moriondo M, Nieddu F, Peroni DG, Prato R, Ricci S, Russo F, Tirelli F, Vitale F, Ladhani SN, Azzari C. Four-Component Recombinant Protein-Based Vaccine Effectiveness Against Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease in Italy. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2329678. [PMID: 37594762 PMCID: PMC10439479 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.29678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Population-based data on the 4-component recombinant protein-based (4CMenB) vaccine effectiveness and reduction in incidence rate ratios (IRRs) are continuously needed to assess vaccine performance in the prevention of serogroup B invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Objective To assess the effectiveness and reduction in IRRs associated with the 4CMenB vaccine in the pediatric population in 6 regions in Italy. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort screening study and case-control study included data from children aged younger than 6 years in 6 highly populated Italian regions from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2020. Participants included children younger than 6 years diagnosed with serogroup B IMD without predisposing factors. Data were collected from regional surveillance and vaccination registries and were analyzed from September 2021 to January 2022. Exposures Routine 4CMenB vaccination, per regional vaccination programs. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was the effectiveness of the 4CMenB vaccine in the prevention of serogroup B IMD in the population of children aged younger than 6 years in 6 Italian regions. The percentages of vaccine effectiveness (VE) were obtained through the concomitant use of a screening method and a case-control study. Secondary outcomes were the comparison of effectiveness results obtained using the 2 different computational methods, the description of serogroup B IMD incidence rates, and reduction in IRRs before and after 4CMenB introduction, as a proxy for vaccine impact. Results The cohort screening study included a resident population of 587 561 children younger than 6 years in 3 regions with similar surveillance protocols, and the matched-case controls study assessed a resident population of 1 080 620 children younger than 6 years in 6 regions. Analyses found that 4CMenB VE in fully immunized children was 94.9% (95% CI, 83.1%-98.4%) using the screening method and 91.7% (95% CI, 24.4%-98.6%) using the case-control method. Overall reduction in IRR was 50%, reaching 70% in regions with early-start vaccination schedules. The case-control method involving 6 highly-populated Italian regions included 26 cases and 52 controls and found an estimated VE of 92.4% (95% CI, 67.6%-97.9%) in children old enough for the first vaccine dose and 95.6% (95% CI, 71.7%-99.1%) in fully immunized children. VE was more than 90% for partially immunized children. Even in regions where the first dose was administered at age 2 months, almost 20% of unvaccinated cases were among infants too young to receive the first 4CMenB dose. Conclusions and Relevance This screening cohort study and matched case-controls study found high effectiveness of 4CMenB vaccination and greater reduction in IRR for early-start vaccination schedules in preventing invasive serogroup B meningococcal disease. The high proportion of children too young to be vaccinated among unvaccinated cases suggests that starting the vaccination even earlier may prevent more cases. Screening and case-control methods provided similar estimates of VE: either method may be used in different study settings, but concomitant use can provide more robust estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Lodi
- Immunology Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Barbati
- Immunology Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Amicizia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Baldo
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Barbui
- S.C. Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bondi
- S.C. Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, City of Health and Science, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudio Costantino
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties “G. D’Alessandro,” University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Liviana Da Dalt
- Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Lorenza Ferrara
- Regional Epidemiology Reference Service for the Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, Local Health Unit of Alessandria, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Francesca Fortunato
- Hygiene Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Foggia Hospital, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Valentina Guarnieri
- Immunology Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Icardi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Indolfi
- Paediatric and Liver Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
- Department of Neurofarba, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Domenico Martinelli
- Hygiene Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Foggia Hospital, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Maria Moriondo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Nieddu
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Diego G. Peroni
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Prato
- Hygiene Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Foggia Hospital, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Silvia Ricci
- Immunology Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Russo
- Veneto Regional Directorate of Prevention, Food Safety, Veterinary, Public Health, Venice, Italy
| | - Francesca Tirelli
- Department of Woman’s and Child’s Health, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Excellence Specialties “G. D’Alessandro,” University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Shamez N. Ladhani
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, London, United Kingdom
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Chiara Azzari
- Immunology Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Marshall HS, Vesikari T, Richmond PC, Wysocki J, Szenborn L, Beeslaar J, Maguire JD, Balmer P, O'Neill R, Anderson AS, Prégaldien JL, Maansson R, Jiang HQ, Perez JL. Safety and immunogenicity of a primary series and booster dose of the meningococcal serogroup B-factor H binding protein vaccine (MenB-FHbp) in healthy children aged 1-9 years: two phase 2 randomised, controlled, observer-blinded studies. Lancet Infect Dis 2023; 23:103-116. [PMID: 36087588 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(22)00424-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The meningococcal serogroup B-factor H binding protein vaccine (MenB-FHbp) is licensed for use in children aged 10 years or older for protection against invasive serogroup B meningococcal disease. Because young children are at increased risk of invasive meningococcal disease, MenB-FHbp clinical data in this population are needed. METHODS We conducted two phase 2 randomised, controlled, observer-blinded studies including healthy toddlers (age 12-23 months) across 26 Australian, Czech, Finnish, and Polish centres, and older children (age 2-9 years) across 14 Finnish and Polish centres. Exclusion criteria included previous vaccinations against serogroup B meningococcus or hepatitis A virus (HAV), and chronic antibiotic use. Toddlers were randomly allocated (2:1) via an interactive response technology system to receive either 60 μg or 120 μg MenB-FHbp or HAV vaccine and saline (control). Older children were randomly allocated (3:1) to receive 120 μg MenB-FHbp or control, with stratification by age group (2-3 years and 4-9 years). All vaccinations were administered as three doses (0, 2, and 6 months, with only saline given at 2 months in the control group). Toddlers who received 120 μg MenB-FHbp could receive a 120 μg booster dose 24 months after the end of the primary series. The percentages of participants with serum bactericidal activity using human complement (hSBA) titres at or above the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ; all greater than the 1:4 correlate of protection) against four test strains of serogroup B meningococcus 1 month after the third dose (primary immunogenicity endpoint) were measured in the evaluable immunogenicity populations (participants who received the vaccine as randomised, had available and determinate hSBA results, and had no major protocol violations). Not all participants were tested against all strains because of serum sample volume constraints. The frequencies of reactogenicity and adverse events after each dose were recorded in the safety population (all participants who received at least one dose and had safety data available). These studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02534935 and NCT02531698) and are completed. FINDINGS Between Aug 31, 2015, and Aug 22, 2016, for the toddler study and between Aug 27, 2015, and March 7, 2016, for the older children study, we enrolled and randomly allocated 396 toddlers (60 μg MenB-FHbp group n=44; 120 μg MenB-FHbp group n=220; control group n=132) and 400 older children (120 μg MenB-FHbp group n=294; control group n=106). 1 month after the third dose, the proportions of participants with hSBA titres at or above the LLOQ ranged across test strains from 85·0% (95% CI 62·1-96·8; 17 of 20 participants) to 100·0% (82·4-100·0; 19 of 19) in toddlers receiving 60 μg MenB-FHbp, and from 71·6% (61·4-80·4; 68 of 95) to 100·0% (96·2-100·0; 95 of 95) in toddlers receiving 120 μg MenB-FHbp, and from 79·1% (71·2-85·6; 106 of 134) to 100·0% (97·4-100·0; 139 of 139) in children aged 2-9 years receiving 120 μg MenB-FHbp. hSBA titres peaked at 1 month after the third primary dose of MenB-FHbp and then declined over time. 24 months after the third dose in the toddler study, the proportions with hSBA titres at or above the LLOQ ranged from 0·0% (0·0-17·6; 0 of 19 participants) to 41·2% (18·4-67·1; seven of 17) in those who received 60 μg MenB-FHbp and from 3·7% (0·8-10·4; three of 81) to 22·8% (14·1-33·6; 18 of 79) in those who received 120 μg MenB-FHbp. 1 month after the booster dose in toddlers, the proportions with hSBA titres at or above the LLOQ were higher than at 1 month after the primary series. MenB-FHbp reactogenicity was mostly transient and of mild to moderate severity. Adverse event frequency was similar between the MenB-FHbp and control groups and less frequent following MenB-FHbp booster than following primary doses. Two participants from the toddler study (both from the 120 μg MenB-FHbp group) and four from the older children study (three from the 120 μg MenB-FHbp group and one from the control group) were withdrawn from the study because of adverse events. INTERPRETATION MenB-FHbp was well tolerated and induced protective immune responses in a high proportion of participants. These findings support a favourable MenB-FHbp immunogenicity and reactogenicity profile in young children, a population at increased risk of adverse invasive meningococcal disease outcomes. FUNDING Pfizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen S Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Health Network, North Adelaide, SA, Australia; Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
| | | | - Peter C Richmond
- University of Western Australia School of Medicine, Vaccine Trials Group, Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, WA, Australia; Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Jacek Wysocki
- Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Leszek Szenborn
- Clinical Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Jason D Maguire
- Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Paul Balmer
- Pfizer Vaccine Medical Development and Scientific/Clinical Affairs, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Robert O'Neill
- Pfizer Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Roger Maansson
- Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Han-Qing Jiang
- Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - John L Perez
- Pfizer Vaccine Clinical Research and Development, Collegeville, PA, USA
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Martinón-Torres F, de Miguel ÁG, Ruiz-Contreras J, Vallejo-Aparicio LA, García A, Gonzalez-Inchausti MC, de Gomensoro E, Kocaata Z, Gabás-Rivera C, Comellas M, Prades M, Lizán L. Societal Preferences for Meningococcal B Vaccination in Children: A Discrete Choice Experiment in Spain. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:157-175. [PMID: 36367677 PMCID: PMC9868201 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-022-00708-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Immunization is the most effective strategy for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB); however, parents need to weigh the risk-benefit and financial impact of immunizing their children against MenB in the absence of a national immunization program (NIP). This study aimed to explore societal preferences (of parents and pediatricians) regarding the attributes of a MenB vaccine in Spain. METHODS A discrete choice experiment (DCE) based on cross-sectional surveys was carried out to determine preferences. A literature review and scientific committee determined the six attributes related to the MenB vaccine included in the DCE: vaccination age, cost, duration, percentage of protection, adverse events probability, and expert/authority recommendation. Data were analyzed using a mixed logit model. Relative importance (RI) of attributes was calculated and compared between parents and pediatricians. RESULTS A total of 278 parents [55.8% female, mean age 40.4 (standard deviation, SD 7.3) years] and 200 pediatricians [73.0% female, mean age 45.8 (SD 12.9) years] answered the DCE. For parents, the highest RI was attributed to vaccine cost, expert/authority recommendation, and percentage of protection (26.4%, 26.1%, and 22.9%, respectively), while for pediatricians the highest RI was assigned to percentage of protection, expert/authority recommendation, and vaccination age (27.2%, 23.7%, and 22.6%, respectively). Significant differences between parents and pediatricians were found in the RI assigned to all attributes (p < 0.001), except for vaccine recommendation. CONCLUSION In the decision regarding MenB vaccination, cost was a driver in parental decision-making but had a low RI for pediatricians and, conversely, vaccination age was highly valued by pediatricians but was the attribute with least importance for parents. Despite these differences, expert/authority recommendation and percentage of protection were essential criteria for both groups. These results provide relevant information about MenB vaccination, highlighting the importance of considering societal preferences for NIP inclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Martinón-Torres
- grid.411048.80000 0000 8816 6945Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain ,grid.11794.3a0000000109410645Genetics, Vaccines and Infections Research Group (GENVIP), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Gil de Miguel
- grid.28479.300000 0001 2206 5938Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ruiz-Contreras
- grid.144756.50000 0001 1945 5329Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain ,grid.4795.f0000 0001 2157 7667Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Zeki Kocaata
- grid.425090.a0000 0004 0468 9597GSK, Wavre, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Luis Lizán
- Outcomes’10, Castellón, Spain ,Department of Medicine, Universidad Jaime I, Castellón, Spain
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Findlow J, Borrow R, Stephens DS, Liberator P, Anderson AS, Balmer P, Jodar L. Correlates of protection for meningococcal surface protein vaccines; current approaches for the determination of breadth of coverage. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:753-769. [PMID: 35469524 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2064850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The two currently licensed surface protein non capsular meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines both have the purpose of providing broad coverage against diverse MenB strains. However, the different antigen compositions and approaches used to assess breadth of coverage currently make direct comparisons complex. AREAS COVERED In the second of two companion papers, we comprehensively review the serology and factors influencing breadth of coverage assessments for two currently licensed MenB vaccines. EXPERT OPINION Surface protein MenB vaccines were developed using different approaches, resulting in unique formulations and thus their breadth of coverage. The surface proteins used as vaccine antigens can vary among meningococcal strains due to gene presence/absence, sequence diversity and differences in protein expression. Assessment of the breadth of coverage provided by vaccines is influenced by the ability to induce cross-reactive functional immune responses to sequence diverse protein variants; the characteristics of the circulating invasive strains from specific geographic locations; methodological differences in the immunogenicity assays; differences in human immune responses between individuals; and the maintenance of protective antibody levels over time. Understanding the proportion of meningococcal strains which are covered by the two licensed vaccines is important in understanding protection from disease and public health use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Findlow
- Vaccine Medical Development, Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Pfizer Ltd, Tadworth, UK
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - David S Stephens
- Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paul Liberator
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, New York, USA
| | | | - Paul Balmer
- Vaccine Medical Development, Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Luis Jodar
- Vaccine Medical Development, Scientific and Clinical Affairs, Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, PA, USA
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Deghmane AE, Taha MK. Product review on the IMD serogroup B vaccine Bexsero®. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022;:1-14. [PMID: 35192786 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.2020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bexsero® is a multicomponent vaccine composed of four major proteins of Neisseria meningitidis: the fHbp, NHBA, NadA and PorA. This vaccine was licensed against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) due to serogroup B isolates. When administered alone, Bexsero® showed a safety profile similar to other childhood vaccines. It provides an excellent immunogenicity but that requires booster doses in infants and young children. Although the vaccine does not seem to impact on acquisition of carriage of serogroup B isolates, it confers protection against isolates of serogroup B harboring distinct but cross-reactive variants of fHbp, NadA and NHBA. Primary vaccination schemes in infancy underwent a rapid increase after a toddler booster suggesting an anamnestic response and the establishment of a memory response. As Bexsero® targets sub-capsular proteins that can be conserved regardless the capsule, the vaccine can be effective against non-B isolates such as isolates of serogroups W and X.
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Knuf M, Tenenbaum T. Meningokokkenimpfstoffe. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00112-021-01320-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Klouwens MJ, Salverda MLM, Trentelman JJ, Ersoz JI, Wagemakers A, Gerritzen MJH, van der Ley PA, Hovius JW. Vaccination with meningococcal outer membrane vesicles carrying Borrelia OspA protects against experimental Lyme borreliosis. Vaccine 2021; 39:2561-7. [PMID: 33812741 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Currently there is no human vaccine against Lyme borreliosis, and most research focuses on recombinant protein vaccines, as such a vaccine has been proven to be successful in the past. The expression of recombinant antigens in meningococcal Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs), with the OMV functioning both as adjuvant and delivery vehicle, greatly enhances their potential. Immunization studies in mice have shown that OMV-based vaccines can protect against various pathogens and an OMV-based meningococcal vaccine is approved and available for human use. Because of its surface localization in Borrelia and the detailed knowledge regarding its immunogenicity and structure, OspA was chosen as a suitable lipoprotein to be tested as an OMV-based vaccine against Lyme borreliosis. We have previously shown that the OMV-OspA vaccine was immunogenic in mice and here we assessed the efficacy of OMV-OspA. We generated a second-generation OMV-OspA vaccine and vaccinated C3H/HeN mice with (EDTA extracted) meningococcal OMVs expressing OspA from B. burgdorferi strain B31. The adjuvant effect of empty OMVs on recombinant OspA was tested as well. We subsequently challenged mice with a subcutaneous injection of B. burgdorferi. Average antibody end-point titers against the OspA-OMV construct were high, although lower compared to the antibodies raised against recombinant OspA. Interestingly, antibody titers between recombinant OspA adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide and recombinant OspA with OMV as adjuvant were comparable. Finally, qPCR and culture data show that both the OspA-OMV and the vaccine based on recombinant OspA with OMV as adjuvant provided significant, yet partial protection, against Borrelia infection. OMV-based vaccines using Borrelia (lipo)proteins are an easy and feasible vaccination method protecting against B. burgdorferi infection and could be a promising strategy in humans.
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Biolchi A, De Angelis G, Moschioni M, Tomei S, Brunelli B, Giuliani M, Bambini S, Borrow R, Claus H, Gorla MCO, Hong E, Lemos APS, Lucidarme J, Taha MK, Vogel U, Comanducci M, Budroni S, Giuliani MM, Rappuoli R, Pizza M, Boucher P. Multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B vaccination elicits cross-reactive immunity in infants against genetically diverse serogroup C, W and Y invasive disease isolates. Vaccine 2020; 38:7542-7550. [PMID: 33036804 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB) is currently indicated for active immunization against invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB). However, genes encoding the 4CMenB antigens are also variably present and expressed in strains belonging to other meningococcal serogroups. In this study, we evaluated the ability of antibodies raised by 4CMenB immunisation to induce complement-mediated bactericidal killing of non-MenB strains. METHODS A total of 227 invasive non-MenB disease isolates were collected between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008 from England and Wales, France, and Germany; 41 isolates were collected during 2012 from Brazil. The isolates were subjected to genotypic analyses. A subset of 147 isolates (MenC, MenW and MenY) representative of the meningococcal genetic diversity of the total sample were tested in the human complement serum bactericidal antibody assay (hSBA) using sera from infants immunised with 4CMenB. RESULTS Serogroup and clonal complex repertoires of non-MenB isolates were different for each country. For the European panel, MenC, MenW and MenY isolates belonged mainly to ST-11, ST-22 and ST-23 complexes, respectively. For the Brazilian panel, most MenC and MenW isolates belonged to the ST-103 and ST-11 complexes, respectively, and most MenY isolates were not assigned to clonal complexes. Of the 147 non-MenB isolates, 109 were killed in hSBA, resulting in an overall coverage of 74%. CONCLUSION This is the first study in which 147 non-MenB serogroup isolates have been analysed in hSBA to evaluate the potential of a MenB vaccine to cover strains belonging to other serogroups. These data demonstrate that antibodies raised by 4CMenB are able to induce bactericidal killing of 109 non-MenB isolates, representative of non-MenB genetic and geographic diversity. These findings support previous evidence that 4CMenB immunisation can provide cross-protection against non-MenB strains in infants, which represents an added benefit of 4CMenB vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sara Tomei
- GSK, via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | | | | | | | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
| | - Heike Claus
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
| | | | - Eva Hong
- Institut Pasteur, Rue du Dr Roux 25-28, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Ana Paula S Lemos
- Adolfo Lutz Institute, Av. Dr. Arnaldo 351, São Paulo CEP 01246-902, S.P., Brazil.
| | - Jay Lucidarme
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Ulrich Vogel
- Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
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11
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Pizza M, Bekkat-Berkani R, Rappuoli R. Vaccines against Meningococcal Diseases. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1521. [PMID: 33022961 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is the main cause of meningitis and sepsis, potentially life-threatening conditions. Thanks to advancements in vaccine development, vaccines are now available for five out of six meningococcal disease-causing serogroups (A, B, C, W, and Y). Vaccination programs with monovalent meningococcal serogroup C (MenC) conjugate vaccines in Europe have successfully decreased MenC disease and carriage. The use of a monovalent MenA conjugate vaccine in the African meningitis belt has led to a near elimination of MenA disease. Due to the emergence of non-vaccine serogroups, recommendations have gradually shifted, in many countries, from monovalent conjugate vaccines to quadrivalent MenACWY conjugate vaccines to provide broader protection. Recent real-world effectiveness of broad-coverage, protein-based MenB vaccines has been reassuring. Vaccines are also used to control meningococcal outbreaks. Despite major improvements, meningococcal disease remains a global public health concern. Further research into changing epidemiology is needed. Ongoing efforts are being made to develop next-generation, pentavalent vaccines including a MenACWYX conjugate vaccine and a MenACWY conjugate vaccine combined with MenB, which are expected to contribute to the global control of meningitis.
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12
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Isitt C, Cosgrove CA, Ramsay ME, Ladhani SN. Success of 4CMenB in preventing meningococcal disease: evidence from real-world experience. Arch Dis Child 2020; 105:784-790. [PMID: 32029437 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-318047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal disease remains one of the most feared infectious diseases worldwide because of its sudden onset, rapid progression and high case fatality rates, while survivors are often left with severe long-term sequelae. Young children have the highest incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), and nearly all cases in the UK, as in most of Europe and many other industrialised countries, are due to group B meningococci (MenB). The licensure of a broad-coverage, recombinant protein-based MenB vaccine (4CMenB) in 2013 was, therefore, heralded a major breakthrough in the fight against IMD. This vaccine was, however, licensed on immunogenicity and reactogenicity studies only, raising uncertainties about field effectiveness, long-term safety and antibody persistence. In 2015, the UK became the first country to implement 4CMenB into the national infant immunisation schedule and, since then, several countries have followed suit. Seven years after licensure, a wealth of real-world data has emerged to confirm 4CMenB effectiveness, along with large-scale safety data, duration of protection in different age groups, successful strategies to reduce vaccine reactogenicity, impact on carriage in adolescents and the potential for 4CMenB to protect against other meningococcal serogroups and against gonorrhoea. A number of questions, however, remain unanswered, including the investigation and management of vaccine-associated fever in infants, as well as disease severity and assessment of breakthrough cases in immunised children. Increasing use of 4CMenB will provide answers in due course. We now have vaccines against all the major serogroups causing IMD worldwide. Next-generation and combination vaccines against multiple serogroups look very promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Isitt
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St. George's University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St. George's University of London, London, UK .,Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, London, UK
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13
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Pace D, Gauci C, Barbara C. The epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease and the utility of vaccination in Malta. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 39:1885-97. [PMID: 32418063 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-03914-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a vaccine-preventable devastating infection that mainly affects infants, children and adolescents. We describe the population epidemiology of IMD in Malta in order to assess the potential utility of a meningococcal vaccination programme. All cases of microbiologically confirmed IMD in the Maltese population from 2000 to 2017 were analysed to quantify the overall and capsular-specific disease burden. Mean overall crude and age-specific meningococcal incidence rates were calculated to identify the target age groups that would benefit from vaccination. Over the 18-year study period, 111 out of the 245 eligible notified cases were confirmed microbiologically of which 70.3% had septicaemia, 21.6% had meningitis, and 6.3% had both. The mean overall crude incidence rate was 1.49/100,000 population with an overall case fatality rate of 12.6%. Meningococcal capsular groups (Men) B followed by C were the most prevalent with W and Y appearing over the last 6 years. Infants had the highest meningococcal incidence rate of 18.9/100,000 followed by 6.1/100,000 in 1–5 year olds and 3.6/100,000 in 11–15 year old adolescents. The introduction of MenACWY and MenB vaccines on the national immunization schedule in Malta would be expected to reduce the disease burden of meningococcal disease in children and adolescents in Malta.
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14
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Rivero-Calle I, Raguindin PF, Gómez-Rial J, Rodriguez-Tenreiro C, Martinón-Torres F. Meningococcal Group B Vaccine For The Prevention Of Invasive Meningococcal Disease Caused By Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup B. Infect Drug Resist 2019; 12:3169-3188. [PMID: 31632103 PMCID: PMC6793463 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s159952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major public health concern because of its high case fatality, long-term morbidity, and potential to course with outbreaks. IMD caused by Nesseira meningitidis serogroup B has been predominant in different regions of the world like Europe and only recently broadly protective vaccines against B serogroup have become available. Two protein-based vaccines, namely 4CMenB (Bexsero®) and rLP2086 (Trumenba®) are currently licensed for use in different countries against MenB disease. These vaccines came from a novel technology on vaccine design (or antigen selection) using highly specific antigen targets identified through whole-genome sequence analysis. Moreover, it has the potential to confer protection against non-B meningococcus and against other Neisserial species such as gonococcus. Real-world data on the vaccine-use are rapidly accumulating from the UK and other countries which used the vaccine for control of outbreak or as part of routine immunization program, reiterating its safety and efficacy. Additional data on real-life effectiveness, long-term immunity, and eventual herd effects, including estimates on vaccine impact for cost-effectiveness assessment are further needed. Given the predominance of MenB in Europe and other parts of the world, these new vaccines are crucial for the prevention and public health control of the disease, and should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rivero-Calle
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Genetics, Vaccines and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Galicia, Spain
| | - Peter Francis Raguindin
- Genetics, Vaccines and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Galicia, Spain
| | - Jose Gómez-Rial
- Genetics, Vaccines and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Galicia, Spain
| | - Carmen Rodriguez-Tenreiro
- Genetics, Vaccines and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Galicia, Spain
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,Genetics, Vaccines and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Galicia, Spain
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15
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Hou Y, Yan T, Cao H, Liu P, Zheng K, Li Z, Deng Q, Hu S. Chimeric hepatitis B virus core particles displaying Neisserial surface protein A confer protection against virulent Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B in BALB/c mice. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:6601-6613. [PMID: 31496701 PMCID: PMC6702424 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s206210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The primary goal of the present study was to explore and evaluate the highly conserved Neisserial surface protein A (NspA) molecule, fused with truncated HBV virus-like particles (VLPs), as a candidate vaccine against the virulent Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NMB). Methods NspA was inserted into the major immunodominant region of the truncated hepatitis B virus core protein (HBc; amino acids 1–144). The chimeric protein, HBc-N144-NspA, was expressed from a prokaryotic vector and generated HBc-like particles, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Further, the chimeric protein and control proteins were used to immunize mice and the resulting immune responses evaluated by flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and analysis of serum bactericidal activity (SBA) titer. Results Evaluation of the immunogenicity of the recombinant HBc-N144-NspA protein showed that it elicited the production of high levels of NspA-specific total IgG. The SBA titer of HBc-N144-NspA/F reached 1:16 2 weeks after the last immunization in BALB/c mice, when human serum complement was included in the vaccine. Immunization of HBc-N144-NspA, even without adjuvant, induced high levels of IL-4 and a high IgG1 to IgG2a ratio, confirming induction of an intense Th2 immune response. Levels of IL-17A increased rapidly in mice after the first immunization with HBc-N144-NspA, indicating the potential for this vaccine to induce a mucosal immune response. Meanwhile, the immunization of HBc-N144-NspA without adjuvant induced only mild inflammatory infiltration into the mouse muscle tissue. Conclusion This study demonstrates that modification using HBc renders NspA a candidate vaccine, which can trigger protective immunity against NMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- YongLi Hou
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yan
- Department of Health Services, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Cao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Kang Zheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
| | - SiHai Hu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institution of Pathogenic Biology, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, People's Republic of China
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