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J Immunol Sci 2018 Jul;Suppl:41-45

IVD/FRH, WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.

Background: Epidemics of meningococcal disease constitute a major public health challenge in Africa, affecting mostly the 24 countries of the meningitis belt. These epidemics led to a call for a call for a safe, effective and affordable conjugate vaccine against the major serogroup responsible for recent epidemics by leaders of the region.

Objective: This paper documents experiences with efforts at eliminating epidemic meningitis in the African Region. Read More

Ital J Pediatr 2019 Feb 13;45(1):25. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Pediatric and Infectious Disease Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy.

Background: Meningococcal meningitis (MM) is known to be responsible of high cost for the Public Health Administration. Aim of the work is to calculate the costs for the hospitalization of pediatric patients affected by MM.

Methods: We calculate the costs for the hospitalization of pediatric patients affected by MM in the acute phase (HAP) over a nine year period. Read More

Lancet Infect Dis 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Disease Dynamics Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Background: A meningococcal group A conjugate vaccine, PsA-TT (also known as MenAfriVac), was developed with the support of the Meningitis Vaccine Project. Around 280 million individuals aged 1-29 years have been immunised across the African meningitis belt. We analysed the kinetics of vaccine-induced antibody response and assessed the possible implications for duration of protection. Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):164-168

Department of National Immunization Programme, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.

To explore acute meningitis and encephalitis syndrome (AMES) surveillance in 4 China prefectures, to understand the epidemiological features and disease burden of () meningitis, () meningitis, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) meningitis and Japanese encephalitis and provide evidence for related disease prevention and control. AMES surveillance were conducted in Jinan, Shandong Province and Yichang, Hubei Province in September 2006, and in 13 districts of Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province and Guigang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in April 2007. Six hospitals in each city were selected as monitoring pilot hospitals to carry out reports of suspected cases of acute meningitis and encephalitis, case investigation, blood specimens and cerebrospinal fluid specimen collection, anti-JEV IgM antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, , and Hib culture and polymerase chain reaction detection, etc. Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):159-163

Department of National Immunization Programme, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.

To analyze the characteristics of epidemiology and () serogroups distribution for meningococcal meningitis (MM) cases in China from 2015 to 2017. The data of MM cases were collected from National Notifiable Diseases Registry System (NNDRS) and case-based MM surveillance system (MMSS) from 2015 to 2017; Demographic data are from the National Bureau of statistics. Inclusion criteria: the date of onset was January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017, the status of infectious disease report card was "final examination card", the cases are classified as "laboratory confirmed cases" and "clinical diagnostic cases", and the card data information of disease name was "Meningococcal meningitis". Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):146-152

Meningococcal meningitis is an acute, severe respiratory infectious disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Immunization with meningococcal vaccine is the most effective measure to control and prevent transmission of meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine containing meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. Read More

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;53(2):141-145

Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines immunization schedules vary by vaccine manufacturer, and often cause confusion in immunization practices. Based on the epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal disease, serogroup distribution of Neisseria meningitidis, and research progress on the immunogenicity and safety of meningococcal vaccines, we developed an experts' consensus on immunization with meningococcal vaccines to provide guidance for immunization providers and for centers for disease control and prevention staff. Read More

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;40(2):129-135

Meningococcal meningitis is an acute, severe respiratory infectious disease caused by . Immunization with meningococcal vaccine is the most effective measure to control and prevent transmission of meningococcal meningitis. Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine containing meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine. Read More

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;40(2):123-128

Meningococcal vaccines in the Chinese market include meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine, meningococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, and a combined vaccine. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines immunization schedules vary by vaccine manufacturer, and often cause confusion in immunization practices. Based on the epidemiological characteristics of meningococcal disease, serogroup distribution of , and research progress on the immunogenicity and safety of meningococcal vaccines, we developed an experts' consensus on immunization with meningococcal vaccines to provide guidance for immunization providers and for centers for disease control and prevention staff. 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 Feb 6. 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

Infect Immun 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy

In serogroup C the () gene codes for an UDP--acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase that catalyzes the conversion of UDP--acetyl-α-D-glucosamine into -acetyl-D-mannosamine and UDP in the first step in sialic acid biosynthesis. This enzyme is required for the biosynthesis of the (α2→9)-linked polysialic acid capsule and for lipooligosaccharide (LOS) sialylation. In this study, we have used a reference serogroup C meningococcal strain and an isogenic knockout mutant to investigate the pathogenetic role of surface-exposed sialic acids in a model of meningitis based on intracisternal inoculation of BALB/c mice. 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

Ugeskr Laeger 2019 Jan;181(3)

Neisseria meningiditis is a cause of sepsis and meningitis. Based on the capsule, six groups are recognised to cause invasive disease: A, B, C, W135, X and Y. In Denmark, five vaccines are marketed to protect against five of the six groups. Read More

An Pediatr (Barc) 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Sección de Enfermedades Infecciosas Pediátricas, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid , España.

Introduction: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a high morbidity and mortality in children and adults. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with IMD, to compare them among children and adults, and to determine prognostic factors and changes in epidemiology during a 14-year period.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to a third level hospital with IMD between 2004 and 2017. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 Jan 18;16(2). Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Epidemiology and Management, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin 71-210, Poland.

In Poland, in addition to mandatory, free of charge vaccines, listed in the national immunization schedule, numerous self-paid vaccinations are recommended, including meningococcal vaccination (MV). To assess MV uptake among ≤5-year-old children and to evaluate parental knowledge and attitudes regarding invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among 350 parents (mean age: 32. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Feb 17;37(7):991-1000. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

GSK, Siena, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: The Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS) was developed to identify meningococcus group B strains with a high likelihood of being covered by the 4CMenB vaccine, but is limited by the requirement for viable isolates from culture-confirmed cases. We examined if antigen genotyping could complement MATS in predicting strain coverage by the 4CMenB vaccine.

Methods: From a panel of 3912 MATS-typed invasive meningococcal disease isolates collected in England and Wales in 2007-2008, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, and in 16 other countries in 2000-2015, 3481 isolates were also characterized by antigen genotyping. Read More

J Prev Med Hyg 2018 Dec 15;59(4):E257-E260. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy.

The invasive disease from Neisseria meningitidis is one of the leading causes of death for meningitis and sepsis at all ages. The highest incidence of cases occurs at paediatric and adolescent age, but no age of life is considered protected from this infection and disease. Prevention against the five main serogroups is possible using the combined conjugated polysaccharide vaccine against the ACWY (anti-MenACWY) serogroups and the meningococcal B (anti-MenB) protein vaccines. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Feb 14;37(7):956-964. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. Electronic address:

Neisseria meningitidis caused meningitis is life-threatening acute infection with high fatality and high frequency of severe sequelae. Meningococcal capsular polysaccharides can be used to prevent meningococcal disease; while conjugating the polysaccharides to carrier protein was found necessary to improve the immunogenicity and induce memory responses in infants and young children. Nevertheless, repeated administration of glycoconjugate vaccines might lead to carrier-induced epitope suppression due to limited number of carrier proteins. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2019 Jan 11;80:137-146. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Medical and Scientific Affairs Regional Lead, Pfizer Vaccines, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Brazil, the first Latin American country to introduce the group C meningococcal conjugate vaccine (included in the vaccination schedule in 2010).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted, covering the years 2005-2017, to identify epidemiological information on IMD and Neisseria meningitidis carriers in Brazil. Documents from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and two public databases were analyzed to determine annual incidence rates, absolute numbers of diagnosed cases, serogroups identified, the relative distribution of cases per serogroup, and the case fatality rate (CFR). 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 Public Health 2019 Jan 9;19(1):46. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Global Public Health Solutions Inc, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Background: Uganda is a low income country that continues to experience disease outbreaks caused by emerging and re-emerging diseases such as cholera, meningococcal meningitis, typhoid and viral haemorrhagic fevers. The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy was adopted by WHO-AFRO in 1998 as a comprehensive strategy to improve disease surveillance and response in WHO Member States in Africa and was adopted in Uganda in 2000. To address persistent inconsistencies and inadequacies in the core and support functions of IDSR, Uganda initiated an IDSR revitalisation programme in 2012. Read More

Euro Surveill 2019 Jan;24(1)

University of Manchester, Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Stopford Building, Manchester, United Kingdom.

BackgroundIn 1999, the United Kingdom (UK) was the first country to introduce meningococcal group C (MenC) conjugate vaccination. This vaccination programme has evolved with further understanding, new vaccines and changing disease epidemiology.AimTo characterise MenC disease and population protection against MenC disease in England. Read More

Stud Hist Philos Biol Biomed Sci 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

EA 4148 Sciences, Société, Historicité, Éducation et Pratiques (S2HEP), Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, S2HEP, Bâtiment "La Pagode", 38 Boulevard Niels Bohr - Campus de la DOUA, 69622, Villeurbanne Cedex, France. Electronic address:

During the period from 1962 to 1967, the development of a meningococcal A vaccine could be considered as feasible despite all the drawbacks of working with cerebrospinal meningitis A. In this paper, I analyse why and how this programme for vaccine development was put into place, and in particular how the problem was perceived as feasible. Deploying the concept of Doable Problems developed by Joan Fujimura, I examine the complex range of factors that led to the outcome of the trial in Yako in 1967. 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

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

Ann Afr Med 2018 Oct-Dec;17(4):163-167

Department of Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Throughout the past 200 years, epidemics of meningococcal infection have been noted in Northern Nigeria. Consequently, control of meningococcal meningitis is one of the major priorities in infection control in the region. The proportions of cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by the five common serotypes (A, B, C, Y, and W135) vary among different regions and within specific geographic locations. 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

J Clin Microbiol 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

Invasive meningococcal disease is mainly caused by (Nm) serogroups A, B, C, X, W and Y. Serogroup is typically determined by slide agglutination serogrouping (SASG) and real-time PCR (rt-PCR). We describe a whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based method to characterize the capsule polysaccharide synthesis () locus, classify Nm serogroups, and identify mechanisms for nongroupability using 453 isolates from a global strain collection. 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

Rev Chilena Infectol 2018 ;35(3):314-316

Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile.

The author presents a historical review about the creation of Doctor Lucio Cordova Infectious Diseases Hospital. Lucio Cordova MD, Counselor of the Charity Board in 1938, promoted a model pavilion for the hospitalization of patients with communicable diseases. An outbreak of meningococcal meningitis, between 1941 and 1942, hurried the construction of the Infectious Disease Pavilion, which was finished in 1949. Read More

Expert Rev Vaccines 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

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

Arch Dis Child 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Paediatrics, Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Lancet Neurol 2018 Dec 13;17(12):1061-1082. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Background: Acute meningitis has a high case-fatality rate and survivors can have severe lifelong disability. We aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the levels and trends of global meningitis burden that could help to guide introduction, continuation, and ongoing development of vaccines and treatment programmes.

Methods: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) 2016 study estimated meningitis burden due to one of four types of cause: pneumococcal, meningococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and a residual category of other causes. Read More

Prev Med Rep 2019 Mar 1;13:41-47. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America.

Invasive Meningococcal Disease is a deadly, but preventable disease, with community outbreaks occurring at rate of 9.5 per year. Serogroup C Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) community outbreaks in men who have sex with men (MSM) have been reported with greater frequency in large urban areas since 2010. Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2018 Dec 3;54(6). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 5, Via Luciano Armanni, 80138 Naples, Italy.

Vaccination against bacterial pathogens is decisive for preventing invasive meningococcal disease and pediatricians play a pivotal role in vaccination compliance and coverage. The aim of this study was to investigate awareness, attitude, and practices toward the vaccine against Meningococcal B serogroup (4CMenB) among a sample of Italian pediatricians. A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online questionnaire from March to May 2015. Read More

J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2019 Feb 22;52(1):165-166. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Infectious Disease, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Vaccine 2018 Dec 26;36(52):8131-8137. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

National Immunization Program, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Background: China's immunization program is one of the oldest and largest in the world. Rates of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) are comparable to those in high-income countries. The program's evolution has been characterized by ambitious target setting and innovative strategies that have not been widely described. Read More

Occup Med (Lond) 2018 Nov 29. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Background: Meningococcal disease is generally caused by A, B, C, W and Y subgroups of Neisseria meningitidis. In 2015, the Italian mass media focused on this disease due to the death of two nurses. This generated alarm in the general population, especially in healthcare workers (HCWs). Read More

J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2019 Mar 27;72(3):185-188. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Laboratory of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.

Neisseria meningitidis is one of the most crucial causes of bacterial meningitis worldwide. The incidence of meningitis due to N. meningitidis greatly changes from one geographical area to the other: 500,000-1,200,000 invasive meningococcal diseases occur each year, with 50,000-135,000 deaths. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Jan 23;37(1):41-48. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: Vaccine-preventable invasive bacterial diseases (IBDs) caused by Neisseria meningitidis (Nm), Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), and Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) have been notified in Italy since 2007 without assessing reporting completeness.

Methods: Our study compared the number of cases of IBDs identified from the Italian Hospital Discharge Records (HDRs), using specific diagnostic ICD-9-CM codes, with those notified to the National Surveillance System (NSS) from 2007 to 2016. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to impute the aetiology of all discharges with a diagnosis of unspecified bacterial meningitis. Read More

Pathog Dis 2018 Nov 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

Front Pediatr 2018 9;6:321. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Paediatrics, St Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Infection with the meningococcus is one of the main causes of meningitis and septicaemia worldwide. Humans are the only natural reservoir for the meningococcus which is found primarily as a commensal inhabitant in the nasopharynx in ~10% of adults, and may be found in over 25% of individuals during adolescence. Prompt recognition of meningococcal infection and early aggressive treatment are essential in order to reduce mortality, which occurs in up to 10% of those with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018 Nov 21. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

d Medical Development, Scientific & Clinical Affairs , Pfizer Vaccines , Collegeville , PA , USA.

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) has caused several recent outbreaks of meningococcal disease on US college campuses. In January 2015, a case of MenB was reported at a university in Oregon, culminating in an outbreak with a total of 7 cases (including 1 fatality) identified over a 5-month period. In response to the outbreak, the university organized a mass immunization campaign with 4 "opt-in" immunization clinics. Read More

Trop Med Int Health 2019 Feb 6;24(2):143-154. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Objective: To review the findings of studies of pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis and related species conducted in the African meningitis belt since a previous review published in 2007.

Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were searched in July 2018 using the terms 'meningococcal OR Neisseria meningitidis OR lactamica AND carriage AND Africa', with the search limited to papers published on or after 1st January 2007. We conducted a narrative review of these publications. Read More