A review of vaccine research and development: meningococcal disease

Abstract

This paper reviews the current status of research and development of vaccines against meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis, a major cause of severe meningitis and septicemia with epidemic potential. While five serogroups (A, B, C, Y, and W135) are responsible for most of the disease, Group A remains unique in its ability to cause large scale epidemics mainly in Africa but also in Asia. The majority of cases in Europe and America are due to Groups B and C. The successful experience with Hib and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has paved the way for the development of polysaccharide conjugate vaccines for the prevention of meningococcal disease. Widespread vaccination with Group C conjugate vaccines now in use in several European countries indicates that these vaccines are immunogenic, induce immunological memory, reduce colonization and provide herd immunity to the general population. A monovalent group A conjugate vaccine being developed at an affordable price, offers hope for the elimination of large epidemics in African countries. Multivalent (A, C, Y, W) conjugate vaccines are being developed, and one has already been licensed. However, effective global prevention of meningococcal disease will not be achievable without the development of a vaccine against Group B meningitis, for which outer membrane protein vaccines are under development.