Immunogenicity and reactogenicity in UK infants of a novel meningococcal vesicle vaccine containing multiple class 1 (PorA) outer membrane proteins.
The development of effective vaccines against serogroup B meningococci is of great public health importance. We assessed a novel genetically engineered vaccine containing six meningococcal class 1 (PorA) outer membrane proteins representing 80% of prevalent strains in the UK. 103 infants were given the meningococcal vaccine at ages 2, 3 and 4 months with routine infant immunisations, with a fourth dose at 12-18 months. The vaccine was well tolerated. Three doses evoked good immune responses to two of six meningococcal strains expressing PorA proteins contained in the vaccine. Following a fourth dose, larger bactericidal responses to all six strains were observed, suggesting that the initial course had primed memory lymphocytes and revaccination stimulated a booster response. This hexavalent PorA meningococcal vaccine was safe and evoked encouraging immune responses in infants. Vaccines of this type warrant further development and evaluation.
Cartwright
K
K
Public Health Laboratory, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK.
Morris
R
R
Rümke
H
H
Fox
A
A
Borrow
R
R
Begg
N
N
Richmond
P
P
Poolman
J
J
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*; D018272:Porins / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D018272:Porins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; C057699:porin protein, Neisseria