Population-based seroprevalence of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C capsular antibody before the introduction of conjugate vaccine, in Australia

Vaccine. 2007 Jan 26;25(7):1310-5. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.09.087. Epub 2006 Oct 10.

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NMC) conjugate vaccine was introduced, in Australia, in 2003. Our aims were to determine pre-immunisation IgG NMC seroprevalence and evaluate an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), previously validated against the serum bactericidal assay (SBA). 2409 sera, collected in 2002, from subjects aged 2-34 years, were tested. The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of NMC anticapsular IgG was 0.38 U/mL in subjects under 19 years and it increased to 0.67 U/mL for those aged 30-34 years. Variation in GMC correlated with reported NMC disease incidence and was higher in males than females (0.52 U/mL versus 0.41 U/mL; p=0.005). The ELISA appears suitable for serosurveillance but the IgG level that correlates with protection needs further investigation. Serosurveys will be repeated to monitor the impact of vaccination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis*
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Bacterial Capsules / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / epidemiology*
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / immunology*
  • Meningococcal Vaccines / immunology*
  • Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C / immunology*
  • Population
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Meningococcal Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Conjugate