Review of meningococcal group B vaccines

Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Mar 1;50 Suppl 2(S2):S54-65. doi: 10.1086/648966.

Abstract

No broadly effective vaccines are available for prevention of group B meningococcal disease, which accounts for >50% of all cases. The group B capsule is an autoantigen and is not a suitable vaccine target. Outer-membrane vesicle vaccines appear to be safe and effective, but serum bactericidal responses in infants are specific for a porin protein, PorA, which is antigenically variable. To broaden protection, outer-membrane vesicle vaccines have been prepared from >1 strain, from mutants with >1 PorA, or from mutants with genetically detoxified endotoxin and overexpressed desirable antigens, such as factor H binding protein. Also, recombinant protein vaccines such as factor H binding protein, given alone or in combination with other antigens, are in late-stage clinical development and may be effective against the majority of group B strains. Thus, the prospects have never been better for developing vaccines for prevention of meningococcal disease, including that caused by group B strains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Biomedical Research / trends
  • Endotoxins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology*
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / microbiology
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / prevention & control*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B / immunology*
  • Porins / immunology
  • Secretory Vesicles / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Endotoxins
  • Meningococcal Vaccines
  • Porins
  • factor H-binding protein, Neisseria meningitidis
  • porin protein, Neisseria