Review of meningococcal vaccines with updates on immunization in adults.
Meningococcal disease is a serious and global life-threatening disease. Six serogroups (A, B, C, W-135, X, and Y) account for the majority of meningococcal disease worldwide. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines were introduced several decades ago and have led to the decline in the burden of disease. However, polysaccharide vaccines have several limitations, including poor immunogenicity in infants and toddlers, short-lived protection, lack of immunologic memory, negligible impact on nasopharyngeal carriage, and presence of hyporesponsiveness after repeated doses. The chemical conjugation of plain polysaccharide vaccines has the potential to overcome these drawbacks. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines include the quadrivalent vaccines (MenACWY-DT, MenACWY-CRM, and MenACWY-TT) as well as the monovalent A and C vaccines. These conjugate vaccines were shown to elicit strong immune response in adults. This review addresses the various aspects of meningococcal disease, the limitations posed by polysaccharide vaccines, the different conjugate vaccines with their immunogenicity and reactogenicity in adults, and the current recommendations in adults.
Center for Infectious Diseases Research; Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut, Lebanon.
Yorgo C
YC
Zahlanie
Center for Infectious Diseases Research; Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut, Lebanon.
Moza M
MM
Hammadi
Department of Pediatrics; Makassed General Hospital; Beirut, Lebanon.
Soha T
ST
Ghanem
Center for Infectious Diseases Research; Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut, Lebanon.
Ghassan S
GS
Dbaibo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate
Neisseria meningitidis; adults; meningococcal conjugate vaccine; meningococcal disease; meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine; recommendations