title: Fighting Neisseria meningitidis: past and current vaccination strategies.
abstract: Neisseria meningitidis infections represent a serious health problem that can lead to invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a life-threatening condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. IMD could however be preventable via vaccination. During the past five decades, vaccines against N. meningitidis capsular groups A, C, W and Y were introduced into the market. Recently, group B vaccines based on N. meninigitidis recombinant antigens and outer membrane vesicles have been developed and novel vaccine candidates are under evaluation. Areas covered: In this review we discuss the main meningococcal vaccines available, with focus on immunogenicity data, vaccination impact on disease burden and persistence of vaccine-induced immune response. Preliminary results on new vaccine formulations, potentially able to provide multi-group coverage, are also reported. Expert commentary: Continuous surveillance and optimization of national immunization programs are required in order not only to promptly fight future outbreaks but also to identify possible changes in N. meningitidis epidemiology.
authors.affiliation: a VisMederi Srl , Siena , Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piccini
authors.affiliation: a VisMederi Srl , Siena , Italy.|b Department of Life Sciences , University of Siena , Siena , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torelli
authors.affiliation: a VisMederi Srl , Siena , Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gianchecchi
authors.affiliation: a VisMederi Srl , Siena , Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piccirella
authors.affiliation: a VisMederi Srl , Siena , Italy.|c Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine , University of Siena , Siena , Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montomoli
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines
keywords: Neisseria meningitidis; invasive meningococcal disease; meningococcal vaccines; outbreak control; surveillance