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BMC Nephrol 2019 Apr 10;20(1):125. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, 2015 Uppergate Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.

Background: There are limited long-term outcome data in eculizumab-treated patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). We report final results from the largest prospective, observational, multicenter study of patients with aHUS treated with eculizumab.

Methods: Patients with aHUS who participated in any of five parent eculizumab trials and received at least one eculizumab infusion were eligible for enrollment in a long-term follow-up study. Read More

Euro Surveill 2019 Apr;24(14)

Meningococcal Reference Unit, Public Health England, Manchester, United Kingdom.

BackgroundThe total incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Europe has been declining in recent years; however, a rising incidence due to serogroup W (MenW), predominantly sequence type 11 (ST-11), clonal complex 11 (cc11), was reported in some European countries.AimThe aim of this study was to compile the most recent laboratory surveillance data on MenW IMD from several European countries to assess recent trends in Europe.MethodsIn this observational, retrospective study, IMD surveillance data collected from 2013-17 by national reference laboratories and surveillance units from 13 European countries were analysed using descriptive statistics. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 Apr 4;116(17):8481-8486. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Pathogenesis of Vascular Infections, Department of Cell Biology and Infection, Institut Pasteur, INSERM, 75015 Paris, France;

Despite the availability of antibiotics and vaccines, remains a major cause of meningitis and sepsis in humans. Due to its extracellular lifestyle, bacterial adhesion to host cells constitutes an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we present a high-throughput microscopy-based approach that allowed the identification of compounds able to decrease type IV pilus-mediated interaction of bacteria with endothelial cells in the absence of bacterial or host cell toxicity. Read More

J Glob Health 2019 Jun;9(1):010411

Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, USA.

Background: Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacteria , leading to substantial mortality and severe morbidity; with serogroups A, B, C, W135, X and Y most significant in causing disease. An outbreak is defined as multiple cases of the same serogroup occurring in a population over a short time-period. A systematic review was performed to gain insight into outbreaks of meningococcal disease and to describe the temporal pattern over the last 50 years in non-African countries. Read More

EBioMedicine 2019 Mar 29. Epub 2019 Mar 29.

EHESP French School of Public Health, Paris, France; Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Pediatr Neonatol 2019 Feb 22. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; Pediatric Division, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel; Pediatric Research Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Electronic address:

Background: The evaluation of children with purpuric rash and fever (PRF) is controversial. Although many of them have viral infections, on occasion such patients may be infected with Neisseria meningitidis. We described all children aged 0-18 years with PRF in southern Israel during the period 2005 ̶ 2016 and compared their microbiologic, laboratory, clinical and outcome characteristics in relation to various etiologies of this syndrome. Read More

Nat Microbiol 2019 Mar 25. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

U1016, Institut Cochin, Inserm, Paris, France.

Bacterial virulence factors are attractive targets for the development of therapeutics. Type IV pili, which are associated with a remarkable array of properties including motility, the interaction between bacteria and attachment to biotic and abiotic surfaces, represent particularly appealing virulence factor targets. Type IV pili are present in numerous bacterial species and are critical for their pathogenesis. Read More

Innate Immun 2019 Apr;25(3):158-167

3 Department of Clinical Chemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Norway.

Neisseria meningitidis infections in sub-Saharan Africa usually present with distinct symptoms of meningitis but very rarely as fulminant septicemia when reaching hospitals. In Europe, development of persistent meningococcal shock and multiple organ failure occurs in up to 30% of patients and is associated with a bacterial load of >10/ml plasma or serum. We have prospectively studied 27 Ethiopian patients with meningococcal infection as diagnosed and quantified with real-time PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1969:17-31

Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris Cedex, France.

Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a leading cause of invasive infections associated with high mortality and morbidity, notably meningitis and septicemia. Etiological rapid diagnosis is key for the preventive management of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). However, conventional methods for diagnosis are time-consuming and could be hampered by the difficulties in culturing the isolates from clinical specimens especially due to early antibiotic treatment. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Mar 12;19(1):252. Epub 2019 Mar 12.

Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Tenon University Hospital, Medico-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, 4 Rue de la Chine, Paris, 75020, France.

Background: During fulminant meningococcal septicaemia, meningococci are often observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) although the patients have frequently no meningeal symptoms. Meningococcal meningitis, by contrast, usually features clinical meningeal signs and biochemical markers of inflammation with elevated white blood cell count (pleiocytosis) in the CSF. Cases of typical symptomatic meningitis without these biochemical features are uncommon in adults. Read More

JAMA 2019 03;321(10):1014

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 03 11;13(3):e0007077. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics and Departments of Epidemiology and Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America.

Background: Seasonal epidemics of bacterial meningitis in the African Meningitis Belt carry a high burden of disease and mortality. Reactive mass vaccination is used as a control measure during epidemics, but the time taken to gain immunity from the vaccine reduces the flexibility and effectiveness of these campaigns. Targeted reactive antibiotic prophylaxis could be used to supplement reactive mass vaccination and further reduce the incidence of meningitis, and the potential effectiveness and efficiency of these strategies should be explored. Read More

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed 2019 Mar 8. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Interdisziplinäre internistische Intensivstation, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Liebigstraße 20, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.

Infections with Neisseria meningitidis are life-threatening conditions, generally presenting as meningitis. This case of a young woman who had a history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria under treatment with the complement inhibitor eculizumab had been presented with septic shock. While blood cultures were positive for Neisseria meningitidis, she showed no evidence for bacterial meningitis in the cerebrospinal fluid. Read More

EBioMedicine 2019 Mar 4;41:488-496. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Historically, the major cause of meningococcal epidemics in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa has been Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (NmA), but the incidence has been substantially reduced since the introduction of a serogroup A conjugate vaccine starting in 2010. We performed whole-genome sequencing on isolates collected post-2010 to assess their phylogenetic relationships and inter-country transmission.

Methods: A total of 716 invasive meningococcal isolates collected between 2011 and 2016 from 11 meningitis belt countries were whole-genome sequenced for molecular characterization by the three WHO Collaborating Centers for Meningitis. Read More

Microbes Infect 2019 Feb 22. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow, 117997, Russia.

Immunization of mice with recombinant IgA1 protease of Neisseria meningitidis or several structural derivatives thereof protects the animals infected with a variety of deadly pathogens, including N. meningitidis serogroups A, B, and C and 3 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumonia. In sera of rabbits immunized with inactivated pneumococcal cultures, antibodies binding IgA1-protease from N. Read More

Br J Haematol 2019 Apr 15;185(2):297-310. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Eculizumab is the first and only medication approved for paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) treatment. However, eculizumab safety based on long-term pharmacovigilance is unknown. This analysis summarises safety data collected from spontaneous and solicited sources from 16 March 2007 through 1 October 2016. Read More

Pediatr Ann 2019 Feb;48(2):e71-e77

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted viral infection worldwide, is the causative agent for cervical cancer and attributed to anogenital cancers as well as oropharyngeal cancer. Three effective, safe, prophylactic HPV vaccines have been licensed, and studies have demonstrated decreases in HPV prevalence and HPV-related disease endpoints without evidence of waning protection to date. In the United States, only the 9-valent vaccine, which covers 90% of the cancers attributed to HPV in US registries, is available. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Mar;80(3):591-602

Department of Dermatology, Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, California.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons face important health issues relevant to dermatologists. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at higher risk of certain infectious diseases, including HIV, syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, and invasive meningococcal disease, and might be at higher risk of non-infectious conditions, including skin cancer. Recommendations for preventive health care, including screening for HIV and other STDs, sexual health-related vaccinations, and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, differ for MSM compared with non-MSM. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2019 Feb 7;19(1):49. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Wellcome Wolfson Institute of Experimental Medicine, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK.

Background: The early recognition of meningococcal disease in children is vital. During the prodrome however, meningococcal infection presents similarly to many self-limiting viral infections. This mandates a cautious approach with many children receiving unnecessary broad-spectrum parenteral antibiotics. Read More

Trop Med Int Health 2019 Apr 6;24(4):392-400. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.

Objective: To investigate potential risk factors for acquisition in seven countries of the meningitis belt.

Methods: Households were followed up every 2 weeks for 2 months, then monthly for a further 4 months. Pharyngeal swabs were collected from all available household members at each visit and questionnaires completed. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2019 Jan 24;163. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

UMC Utrecht, Julius Centrum voor Gezondheidswetenschappen en Huisartsgeneeskunde, afd. Epidemiologie.

The recent outbreak of serogroup W meningococcal disease in the Netherlands, and the start of the vaccination campaign for adolescents in response, dominated the national headlines in 2018. During this time, the Health Council of the Netherlands prepared an advisory statement, which was released in December 2018, on how meningococcal disease caused by various serogroups could be controlled in the future. The Counsel recommends to include vaccination against serogroups A, C, W and Y for infants and adolescents in the Dutch National Immunization Programme. Read More

Epidemiol Health 2018 28;40:e2018058. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Département Bactériologie Virologie, Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Cote d'lvoire.

Objectives: To describe the emergence of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) W135 in Côte d'Ivoire and its characteristics compared to NmA.

Methods: Data on Nm samples isolated at the National Reference Center for meningitis in Côte d'Ivoire between 2007 and 2012 were analyzed. Socio-demographic data and biological information on the samples were extracted from the database. Read More

Euro Surveill 2019 Jan;24(4)

Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

In Italy, B and C are the predominant serogroups among meningococci causing invasive diseases. Nevertheless, in the period from 2013 to 2016, an increase in serogroup W (MenW) was observed. This study intends to define the main characteristics of 63 MenW isolates responsible of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Italy from 2000 to 2016. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 Jan 24:1-11. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

a Hubert Department of Global Health , Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University , Atlanta GA , USA.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake consistently lags behind that of other adolescent vaccines. In 2017, uptake of a single HPV vaccine dose and HPV vaccine series completion was 66% and 49%, respectively, compared to uptake of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (89%) and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (85%). Reasons for not vaccinating adolescents again HPV are varied, and in many cases, are rooted in commonly spread myths and misperceptions about the vaccine. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Mar 18;37(12):1692-1701. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Bielefeld University, Universtitätsstr. 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany. Electronic address:

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a severe disease mainly affecting infants and young children. The most common serogroup causing IMD in Germany is the serogroup type B Neisseria meningitidis (MenB). The aim of the present study is to estimate the economic burden of MenB-related IMD in Germany. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019 01 14;116(5):1802-1807. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Biostatistics, Biomathematics, Pharmacoepidemiology and Infectious Diseases (B2PHI), INSERM, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris-Saclay, F75724 Paris, France.

Infections caused by -including invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs)-remain a significant public health concern worldwide. The marked winter seasonality of IPDs is a striking, but still enigmatic aspect of pneumococcal epidemiology in nontropical climates. Here we confronted age-structured dynamic models of carriage transmission and disease with detailed IPD incidence data to test a range of hypotheses about the components and the mechanisms of pneumococcal seasonality. Read More

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Children's Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.

Aims: Enteroviruses (EVs) are the most common agents of aseptic meningitis. Some serotypes can cause serious neuroinfection leading to death. The aim of this study was to determine the representation of EVs in the etiology of aseptic meningitis in children and to analyze the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological characteristics of patients with EV meningitis. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Jan 8;19(1):29. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.

Background: During 2015-2016 an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease due to N. meningitidis serogroup C ST-11 (cc11) occurred in Tuscany, Italy. The outbreak affected mainly the age group 20-30 years, men who have sex with men, and the area located between the cities of Firenze, Prato and Empoli, with discos and gay-venues associated-clusters. Read More

Arch Pediatr 2019 Feb 5;26(2):75-79. Epub 2019 Jan 5.

Service de maladies infectieuses, Centre hospitalier de Pau, Boulevard Hauterive, 64046 Pau, France.

Background: Neisseria meningitidis is a virulent bacteria provoking outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) that authorities may try to control with population-based vaccinations. Such campaigns are most often thoroughly followed. We assess the response of poor adherence during a population-based vaccination after a meningococcal B:14:P1. Read More

J Glob Health 2019 Jun;9(1):010409

National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Background: Meningococcal disease continues to be a global public health concern due to its epidemic potential, severity, and sequelae. The global epidemiological data on circulating meningococcal serogroups have never been reviewed concurrently with the laboratory capacity for meningococcal surveillance at the national level. We, therefore, aimed to conduct a country-level review of meningococcal surveillance, serogroup distribution, and vaccine use. Read More

Iran J Immunol 2018 Dec;15(4):309-320

Dr BehcetUz Children's Hospital, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Izmir, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: Primary complement deficiencies are rare diseases.

Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings and complications of patients to increase awareness of pediatricians about complement deficiencies, which are rarely encountered.

Methods: In this study, the clinical and immunological characteristics of 21 patients who consulted the Immunology Department of our hospital between 2003 and 2017 and were diagnosed with classical or alternative pathway complement deficiency were obtained from the file records. Read More

PLoS One 2018 28;13(12):e0209919. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

National Meningitis Reference Laboratory (NMRL), Dept of Public Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece.

Herd protection, resulting from the interruption of transmission and asymptomatic carriage, is an important element of the effectiveness of vaccines against the meningococcus. Whilst this has been well established for conjugate polysaccharide vaccines directed against the meningococcal capsule, two uncertainties surround the potential herd protection provided by the novel protein-based vaccines that are used in place of serogroup B (MenB) polysaccharide vaccines (i) the strain coverage of such vaccines against carried meningococci, which are highly diverse; and (ii) the generation of a protective immune response in the mucosa. These considerations are essential for realistic estimates of cost-effectiveness of new MenB vaccines. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 27;18(1):703. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Immunology Division, Section of Pediatrics, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence and Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy.

Background: Primary meningococcal arthritis is a rare infectious disease that occurs in less than 3% of meningococcal infections and is characterized by arthritis without meningitis, fever, rash, or hemodynamic instability Barahona [Case Rep Orthop 4696014:2017 ]. There are no validated clinical criteria that can be used for the diagnosis. We present two pediatric cases of atypical presentation of meningococcal disease revealed by molecular tests. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2018 30;30:235. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

Centre de Recherche Médicale et Sanitaire (CERMES), BP 10887, 634 Bd de la Nation, YNo34 Niamey, Niger.

Introduction: Bacterial meningitis (BM) is one of the most severe infectious disease in Niger republic. To best describe the trends of BM disease, meningitis surveillance data from the Centre de Recherche Medicale et Sanitaire (CERMES) and the Direction of Surveillance and Response to Epidemics (DSRE) were reviewed and analyzed.

Methods: Data on number of notified cases of BM and on pathogens were analyzed during 2003-2015. Read More

Pediatr Int 2018 Dec 11;60(12):1093-1094. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Division of Pediatrics, Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center, Uji, Japan.

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1318. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organisation, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Kebbi State remains the epicentre of the seasonal epidemic meningitis in northwestern Nigeria despite interventions. In this setting, no previous study has been conducted to understand the risk factors of the recurrent meningitis epidemics using qualitative approach. Consequently, this study intends to explore and better understand the environmental, economic and socio-cultural factors of recurrent seasonal epidemic meninigitis using a qualitative approach. Read More

MBio 2018 12 11;9(6). Epub 2018 Dec 11.

RIKEN Structural Biology Laboratory, Yokohama, Japan.

While typically exists in an asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriage state, it may cause potentially lethal diseases in humans, such as septicemia or meningitis, by invading deeper sites in the body. Since the nutrient compositions of human cells are not always conducive to meningococci, needs to exploit nutrients from host environments. In the present study, the utilization of cysteine by the meningococcal cysteine transport system (CTS) was analyzed for the pathogenesis of meningococcal infections. Read More

Tex Med 2018 Jul 1;114(7):46. Epub 2018 Jul 1.

Talk to Patients About: Meningococcal Disease. Read More

Expert Rev Vaccines 2019 01 27;18(1):15-30. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

p National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention , Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention , Beijing , China.

Introduction: The 2018 Global Meningococcal Initiative (GMI) meeting focused on evolving invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) epidemiology, surveillance, and protection strategies worldwide, with emphasis on emerging antibiotic resistance and protection of high-risk populations. The GMI is comprised of a multidisciplinary group of scientists and clinicians representing institutions from several continents.

Areas Covered: Given that the incidence and prevalence of IMD continually varies both geographically and temporally, and surveillance systems differ worldwide, the true burden of IMD remains unknown. Read More

mSphere 2018 12 5;3(6). Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Vaccine Clinical Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Pearl River, New York, USA.

carriage data are necessary to inform serogroup B (NmB) immunization program implementation. This longitudinal study compared detection methods to measure throat carriage prevalence in Quebec from November 2010 to December 2013 using cultured swab isolates and direct swab PCR from students in ninth grade (aged 13 to 15 years; = 534) and eleventh grade/college entry (16 to 18 years; = 363) and in university students in dormitories (18 to 25 years; = 360) at 3 time points per group. Meningococcal and NmB carriage rates were lower in ninth- and eleventh-grade/college entry students than university students, regardless of methodology. Read More

PLoS One 2018 5;13(12):e0206453. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, United Kingdom.

Improved methods for the detection and characterization of carried Neisseria meningitidis isolates are needed. We evaluated a multiplex PCR algorithm for the detection of a variety of carriage strains in the meningitis belt. To further improve the sensitivity and specificity of the existing PCR assays, primers for gel-based PCR assays (sodC, H, Z) and primers/probe for real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays (porA, cnl, sodC, H, E, Z) were modified or created using Primer Express software. Read More

Blood 2019 Feb 3;133(6):530-539. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Haematology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Ravulizumab (ALXN1210), a new complement C5 inhibitor, provides immediate, complete, and sustained C5 inhibition. This phase 3, open-label study assessed the noninferiority of ravulizumab to eculizumab in complement inhibitor-naive adults with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Patients with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥1. Read More

Blood 2019 Feb 3;133(6):540-549. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Saint Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.

Ravulizumab, a new complement component C5 inhibitor administered every 8 weeks, was noninferior to eculizumab administered every 2 weeks in complement-inhibitor-naive patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). This study assessed noninferiority of ravulizumab to eculizumab in clinically stable PNH patients during previous eculizumab therapy. In this phase 3, open-label, multicenter study, 195 PNH patients on labeled-dose (900 mg every 2 weeks) eculizumab for >6 months were randomly assigned 1:1 to switch to ravulizumab (n = 97) or continue eculizumab (n = 98). Read More

PLoS One 2018 28;13(11):e0202615. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Bureau of Communicable Disease, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, United States of America.

Background: While overall rates of meningococcal disease have been declining in the United States for the past several decades, New York City (NYC) has experienced two serogroup C meningococcal disease outbreaks in 2005-2006 and in 2010-2013. The outbreaks were centered within drug use and sexual networks, were difficult to control, and required vaccine campaigns.

Methods: Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was used to analyze preserved meningococcal isolates collected before and during the two outbreaks. Read More

Pathog Dis 2018 11 1;76(8). Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Institute for Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.

The complement system is the primary innate immune determinant protecting against invasive diseases caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (Nme, meningococcus), as evidenced by the extreme susceptibility of individuals with complement deficiencies. In contrast, the role of phagocytes such as neutrophils is much less well understood, although they are recruited in great numbers to the cerebrospinal fluid during meningococcal meningitis. Here, we consider the interaction of Nme with primary human neutrophils using either purified cells or a whole blood model of infection. Read More

Expert Rev Vaccines 2018 12 5;17(12):1111-1121. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

d Vaccine Development Leader , Research and Development Centre , Rockville , MD , USA.

Introduction: Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in many industrialized countries and occurs at any age. The highest incidence is in infants aged <1 year, followed by children and adolescents. Four-component MenB vaccine (4CMenB, Bexsero) is the only MenB vaccine authorized for use in all age-groups. Read More

Expert Rev Vaccines 2018 11 15;17(11):1053-1061. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

b Rollins School of Public Health, Hubert Department of Global Health , Emory University , Atlanta , GA , USA.

Background: Recent serogroup C meningococcal disease outbreaks led to meningococcal vaccine recommendations for Southern California men who have sex with men (MSM). Assessment of vaccine confidence is critical to improving vaccine coverage in the context of disease outbreaks wherein immunization(s) are recommended.

Methods: We surveyed MSM using venue-based sampling and began development of the vaccine confidence index (VCI) with 30 survey items corresponding to trust- and safety-related perceptions. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 11 12;9(1):4753. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO166YD, UK.

Neisseria lactamica is a harmless coloniser of the infant respiratory tract, and has a mutually-excluding relationship with the pathogen Neisseria meningitidis. Here we report controlled human infection with genomically-defined N. lactamica and subsequent bacterial microevolution during 26 weeks of colonisation. Read More

Vaccine 2018 Nov 7;36(50):7609-7617. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

GSK, Via Fiorentina, 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: Invasive meningococcal disease has its highest incidence in infants. Co-administration of serogroup B (4CMenB) and quadrivalent conjugate (MenACWY-CRM) vaccines could protect against 5 clinically-relevant meningococcal serogroups.

Methods: This phase 3b, open, multicenter study (NCT02106390), conducted in Mexico and Argentina, enrolled and randomized (1:1:1) 750 healthy infants to receive either 4CMenB co-administered with MenACWY-CRM (4CMenB/MenACWY group), 4CMenB (4CMenB group), or MenACWY-CRM alone (MenACWY group) at ages 3, 5, 7 and 13 months. Read More

J Infect 2019 Feb 6;78(2):113-118. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Division of Pharmacovigilance, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.

Background: Non-meningococcal, non-gonococcal Neisseria spp. are typically commensal and rarely cause invasive disease. Eculizumab is a terminal complement inhibitor that increases susceptibility to meningococcal disease, but data on disease caused by typically-commensal Neisseria spp. Read More