Comparison of the class-1 outer membrane protein from B:15:P1.16 Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from patients previously immunized with a serogroup B outer membrane protein vaccine in Norway.
A previous report of a large, double blind, efficacy trial of an experimental Group B meningococcal outer membrane protein vaccine carried out in Norwegian Teenagers, showed a protection rate of 57%. Previous studies had demonstrated the occurrence of mutations in the class-1 outer membrane protein which alter its immunological properties. The occurrence of new mutations might compromise the efficacy of a vaccine and explain the occurrence of any vaccine failures. The porA gene, which encodes expression of the class 1 protein, was sequenced in all isolates from vaccine failures and compared to that of the vaccinating strain H44/76 (B:15:P1.7,16). The porA DNA and deduced amino acid sequences were all identical to that of the vaccinating strain except for that of one isolate which had a sequence identical to strains previously reported in Norway and England with a 'masked P1.7' epitope. The absence of new mutations in the trial was encouraging for the further development of outer membrane protein vaccines.
Brooks
J L
JL
University of Southampton Medical School, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Rosenqvist
E
E
Bjune
G
G
Lambden
P R
PR
Heckels
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D016667:Bacterial Capsules; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000235:genetics*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009664:Norway; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D018272:Porins / Q000235:genetics*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D018272:Porins; C039455:capsular polysaccharide, meningococcal group B; C057699:porin protein, Neisseria