Publications

Garcia, YR; Sohn, WY; Seib, KL; Taha, MK; Vazquez, JA; de Lemos, APS; Vadivelu, K; Pizza, M; Rappuoli, R; Bekkat-Berkani, R (2021). Looking beyond meningococcal B with the 4CMenB vaccine: the Neisseria effect. NPJ VACCINES, 6(1), 130.

Abstract
Infections with Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae have different clinical manifestations, but the bacteria share up to 80-90% genome sequence identity. The recombinant meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine 4CMenB consists of four antigenic components that can be present in non-B meningococcal and gonococcal strains. This comprehensive review summarizes scientific evidence on the genotypic and phenotypic similarities between vaccine antigens and their homologs expressed by non-B meningococcal and gonococcal strains. It also includes immune responses of 4CMenB-vaccinated individuals and effectiveness and impact of 4CMenB against these strains. Varying degrees of strain coverage were estimated depending on the non-B meningococcal serogroup and antigenic repertoire. 4CMenB elicits immune responses against non-B meningococcal serogroups and N. gonorrhoeae. Real-world evidence showed risk reductions of 69% for meningococcal serogroup W clonal complex 11 disease and 40% for gonorrhea after 4CMenB immunization. In conclusion, functional antibody activity and real-world evidence indicate that 4CMenB has the potential to provide some protection beyond MenB disease.

DOI:
10.1038/s41541-021-00388-3

ISSN: