Developing meningococcal vaccines using natural immunity due to a close cousin of the meningococcus.
Research archive
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Hertfordshire, UK, Health Protection Agency, Salisbury, UK, Imperial College, London, UK
- Researchers:
Dr Andy Gorringe, Dr Yanwen Li, Prof Chris Tang, Prof Ian Feavers
- Project Number: 0612.0
- Category: Prevention
- Duration:
- Start Date: 01 January 2006
- Type: Lay summary
- View scientific version
Remarkably, most people develop natural immunity to meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis). One of the ways this happens is when we come into contact with harmless related bacteria, such as Neisseria lactamica, a close cousin of the meningococcus. Lactamica is often carried in the nose and throat of babies and small children, and this is probably the reason most small children do not get meningococcal disease.
In this project, scientists will find out which strains of Neisseria lactamica can stimulate protective immunity and in which ways they are similar to the meningococcus. This will enable them to pinpoint those antigens (molecules on the surface of bacteria) that cause this important cross protection. In the future, these antigens could be included as vaccines to prevent meningococcal disease.