JAC Advance Access originally published online on March 2, 2006
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2006 57(5):924-930; doi:10.1093/jac/dkl066
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Immunogenicity of meningococcal PBP2 during natural infection and protective activity of anti-PBP2 antibodies against meningococcal bacteraemia in mice

Neisseria Unit, National Reference Center for Meningococci, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institut Pasteur, 2528 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France
Received 4 November 2005; returned 15 December 2005; revised 2 January 2006; accepted 14 February 2006
* Corresponding author. Tel: +33-1-45-68-89-58; Fax: +33-1-40-61-30-34; E-mail: lzaranto{at}pasteur.fr
Objective: To evaluate the immunogenicity of the meningococcal penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP2) and its potential as a vaccine candidate.
Methods: The immunogenicity of meningococcal PBP2 was investigated using acute and convalescent sera from patients who recovered from meningococcal disease. Sera were tested against purified recombinant PBP2s corresponding to meningococcal isolates of different genetic lineages, of different serogroups and with various susceptibility levels to penicillin G. Mice were vaccinated with recombinant PBP2 and challenged with Neisseria meningitidis. A purified anti-PBP2 rabbit IgG was also used for passive protection experiments in mice.
Results: Convalescent patients' sera recognized PBP2s from different strains, showing that this protein is immunogenic in meningococcal disease. Vaccination with purified recombinant PBP2 and purified anti-PBP2 rabbit IgG antibody conferred protection against experimental meningococcaemia in mice.
Conclusion: These data argue for considering meningococcal PBP2 as a vaccine candidate.
Keywords: Neisseria meningitidis , vaccine , penicillin-binding proteins , animal model
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