Article
Immunology
Lene Fogt Lundbo, Zitta Barrella Harboe, Hakon Sandholdt, Lars Smith-Hansen, Palle Valentiner-Branth, Steen Hoffmann, Thomas Benfield
Summary: A Danish case-control study found that certain comorbidities increased the risk of invasive meningococcal disease ranging from 2- to 40-fold. These comorbidities included renal disease, immunological disorders, liver disease, cancer, and solid organ transplantation. Vaccination and appropriate medical care may be necessary for these populations with increased risk.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Laura Maynard-Smith, Jeremy P. Derrick, Ray Borrow, Jay Lucidarme, Martin C. J. Maiden, Robert S. Heyderman, Odile B. Harrison
Summary: This study identified genetic variations in Neisseria meningitidis that contribute to invasive meningococcal disease in older individuals, including differences in nucleotide polymorphisms within the transferrin-binding protein B gene. These variations may affect the ability of meningococci to acquire iron from older patients, increasing their risk of disease.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Chung Pham Van, The Trong Nguyen, Sy Tien Bui, Trong Van Nguyen, Huyen Thi Thanh Tran, Dong Trac Pham, Long Phi Trieu, Manh Dang Nguyen
Summary: This study described the prevalence, clinical features, and treatment outcomes of IMD among young soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army, and identified ceftriaxone resistance in Neisseria meningitidis. New recruits were found to be at higher risk of IMD, with prognostic factors for severity including petechial rash, septicemia, and meningococcemia.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nichlas Hovmand, Lene Fogt Lundbo, Gitte Kronborg, Sidsel Skou Voss, Hakon Sandholdt, Steen Hoffmann, Palle Valentiner-Branth, Thomas Ben
Summary: In Denmark, the incidence of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W has increased, with higher mortality compared to other serogroups. Age and manifestation are associated with increased risk of infection and death.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Susanne Stander, Laura R. Grauslund, Maria Scarselli, Nathalie Norais, Kasper Rand
Summary: The study demonstrates the use of HDX-MS to map epitopes recognized by polyclonal antibody samples and identifies immunogenic regions on the target antigen. The results suggest that HDX-MS can provide unique insights into the binding impact of the entire set of polyclonal antibodies present in blood samples after vaccination, aiding in the design of improved vaccines against viruses or bacteria.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Keegan C. Rudmann, Nicole E. Brown, Amy B. Rubis, Meagan Burns, April Ramsey, Denise De Las Nueces, Tasha Martin, Meghan Barnes, Emily Spence Davizon, Adam C. Retchless, Caelin Potts, Xin Wang, Susan Hariri, Lucy A. McNamara
Summary: Several IMD outbreaks caused by Neisseria meningitidis have occurred among people experiencing homelessness (PEH). This study compared the incidence and characteristics of IMD among PEH and non-PEH in the United States. The results showed that PEH are at increased risk for IMD, with a higher incidence compared to non-PEH.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Susan Meiring, Stefano Tempia, Emanuel M. Dominic, Linda de Gouveia, Jo McAnerney, Anne von Gottberg, Cheryl Cohen
Summary: This study reveals a lag time between seasonal influenza and invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), with a potential link between the two. Influenza co-circulation may contribute to some IMD cases, and vaccination against influenza could have a preventive effect on both influenza and IMD.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
J. Miguel Mata, Edith van der Nol, Sebastian J. J. Pomplun
Summary: Discovering new bioactive molecules is crucial for drug development, and affinity selection based technologies have revolutionized the hit discovery process. Recent breakthroughs in screening ultralarge synthetic peptidomimetic libraries using barcode-free tandem mass spectrometry decoding have enabled hit discovery from libraries with over 100 million members. This technology combines combinatorial synthesis, affinity selection, automated de novo peptide sequencing algorithms, and advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation. Success stories include the discovery of high affinity binders for various drug targets and specific functions and reactivity of synthetic peptidomimetics. This technology is predicted to rapidly evolve and become a broadly used drug discovery technology.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meagan Belcher Dufrisne, Nicole Swope, Marissa Kieber, Jeong-Yeh Yang, Ji Han, Jason Li, Kelley W. Moremen, James H. Prestegard, Linda Columbus
Summary: Carcinoembryonic cellular adhesion molecules (CEACAMs) play diverse roles in cell signaling, proliferation, and survival. Understanding the physiological oligomeric state of CEACAMs and its contribution to protein function is crucial for cellular research.
Article
Microbiology
Ryoichi Saito, Jun Nakajima, Isaac Prah, Masatomo Morita, Samiratu Mahazu, Yusuke Ota, Ayuka Kobayashi, Shuji Tohda, Hajime Kamiya, Hideyuki Takahashi, Makoto Ohnishi
Summary: This study assessed the susceptibility profiles of 87 N. meningitidis strains in Japan to various antibiotics and identified sporadic cases of antibiotic-resistant invasive lineages. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance in N. meningitidis to prevent the spread of resistant strains and ensure effective treatment.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sophia Schonherr-Hellec, Eirini Chatzopoulou, Jean-Philippe Barnier, Yoann Atlas, Sebastien Dupichaud, Thomas Guilbert, Yves Dupraz, Julie Meyer, Catherine Chaussain, Carolin Gurin, Xavie Nassif, Stephane Germain, Laurent Muller, Mathieu Coureuil
Summary: This article describes the implantation of engineered human microvasculature in mice, which allows the study of human pathogens. Using Neisseria meningitidis as an example, the authors demonstrate the strength and opportunities associated with this approach.
Article
Fisheries
Walissara Jirapongpairoj, Reiko Nozaki, Keiichiro Koiwai, Ikuo Hirono, Hidehiro Kondo
Summary: The structures of fish serum immunoglobulin differ among different fish species. In this study, a rabbit immunoglobulin light chain bound to fish serum immunoglobulin was accidentally isolated using phage display. The binding specificities of the recombinant protein to fish immunoglobulins were analyzed using ELISA and western blotting.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Cameron Burton, Emma Best, Matthew Broom, Helen Heffernan, Simon Briggs, Rachel Webb
Summary: New Zealand experienced a B serogroup meningococcal epidemic from 1991 to 2006, with a higher incidence compared to other high-income countries. A study conducted in Auckland from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2020 assessed the clinical and immunization data of children below 15 years of age. The results showed that Maori and Pacific children, as well as those from deprived areas, were disproportionately affected. This highlights the need to include the N. meningitidis serogroup B vaccine in the national immunization schedule to address this persistent health inequity.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stephen A. Clark, Helen Campbell, Sonia Ribeiro, Marta Bertran, Lloyd Walsh, Andrew Walker, Laura Willerton, Aiswarya Lekshmi, Xilian Bai, Jay Lucidarme, Shamez N. Ladhani, Ray Borrow
Summary: This study describes the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease in England before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of restrictions led to a significant reduction in cases, but after the removal of restrictions, there was a rapid rebound of MenB cases. MenACWY cases remained low throughout the pandemic, thanks to the protection provided by the adolescent MenACWY conjugate vaccine program.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Carmen Pardo de Santayana, Myint Tin Tin Htar, Jamie Findlow, Paul Balmer
Summary: This article describes the epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), including its incidence trends and serogroup distribution across different regions and age groups. Data from surveillance reports and published articles from 2010 to 2019 in 77 countries were analyzed, showing a low global incidence of IMD with significant variability in circulating disease-causing serogroups. Infants had the highest incidence, followed by young children, adolescents/young adults, and older adults in some countries. Serogroup B was the predominant cause of IMD globally, but there was a notable increase in cases caused by serogroups W and Y from 2010 to 2019 in several regions, highlighting the unpredictable and dynamic nature of the disease. Serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y accounted for the majority of IMD cases despite the availability of vaccines.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)