Meningococcal vaccines.

Clare L Collins; Andrew J Pollard

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PubMed · 12186274

Meningococcal vaccines.

Clare L Collins·Andrew J Pollard

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Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis is one of the leading infectious causes of death in children under five years old in industrialized countries, and most cases can be attributed to five disease-causing serogroups: A, B, C, Y and W135. Meningococcal vaccine development began in the 1930s with killed whole-cell and exotoxin vaccines, but widespread use of polysaccharide vaccines did not begin until the 1970s. Serogroup A, C, Y and W135 polysaccharides are all included in vaccines for travellers, other high risk groups and control of outbreaks, but have limited immunogenicity and effficacy in childhood. Protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines overcome this problem and offer the possibility of protection in early childhoodfrom serogroup A, C, Y and W135. An effective serogroup B vaccine remains elusive and the greatest challengefor vaccine developers.

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Animals Humans Meningitis, Meningococcal Meningococcal Vaccines Neisseria meningitidis Journal Article Review

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Clare L Collins, Andrew J Pollard. 2002. Meningococcal vaccines.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12186274/

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