Phenotypic characterization of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from invasive meningococcal disease in Brazil from 2002 to 2017

Abstract

Introduction Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a high rate of fatality and may cause severe clinical sequelae. Over the years, the epidemiology of IMD has changed significantly in various regions of the world, and laboratory surveillance of this disease is important for mapping epidemiologic changes. Aim To perform phenotypic characterization of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from invasive disease in Brazil from 2002 to 2017, as a complementation of the data obtained in the period of 1990–2001. Methodology In total, 8,689 isolates sent to Adolfo Lutz Institute confirmed as N. meningitidis by conventional methods were serogrouped by slide agglutination against MenA, MenB, MenC, MenE, MenW, MenX, MenY and MenZ; serotyped and serosubtyped by a whole-cell dot-blotting assay with monoclonal antibodies. Results The isolates were sent from all regions of Brazil, and the southeast region was responsible for the largest number of isolates (57.2 %). Overall, the total sample ( n =8,689) was represented by serogroups C ( n =4,729; 54.4 %), B ( n =3,313; 38.1 %), W ( n =423; 4.9 %), Y ( n =203; 2.3 %), X ( n =5; 0.1 %) and others ( n =16; 0.2 %). A shift in the prevalence of serogroups was observed in 2006, when serogroup C became the most prevalent (65.5 %), surpassing the serogroup B (21.9 %). The main isolated phenotypes were C:23:P1.14–6; B:4,7:P1.19,15; W:2a:P1.5 and W:2a:P1.5,2. Conclusion The data show an important change in the distribution of meningococcal serogroups, serotypes and subtypes occurring during 2002–2017. A continuous laboratory-based surveillance provides robust information to implement appropriate strategies to IMD control.

New strategy to select cross-reactivity Meningococci strains: immunization with Outer membrane vesicles of serogroup C and cationic lipid as adjuvant

“…The immunization with OMVs from a C:4:P1.15 Brazilian strain, in this study, stimulated the production of antibodies against the same serosubtype but different serogroup strain B:4:P1.15, which is representative of a virulent clone that was responsible for the last meningococcal epidemic in São Paulo, Brazil, and was frequently isolated until 2017 [13,14]. The homology between the porins of both strains probably ensured that antibodies trigged by one could recognize the other; however, different antigens might play a role in cross-reactivity.…”

“…Here, we tested the humoral immune response after immunization of Swiss mice with OMV of a Brazilian N. meningitidis C:4:P1.15 strain complexed with DDA-BF, through a prime-booster (intranasal/subcutaneous) immunization. It was used, as antigens, the homologous strain from immunization and a B:4:P1.15 strain, which presents a different serogroup but the same serotype and serosubtype and is representative of the last epidemic period and remained isolated from clinical samples until 2017 [13,14].…”

Genomic surveillance of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B invasive strains: Diversity of vaccine antigen types, Brazil, 2016-2018

“…Our data suggest a clonal expansion of cc461 associated with reduced susceptibility to penicillin. An association of serotype 19 within Brazilian serogroup B strains with this type of resistance has been previously described [ 70 ]. Other mechanisms for inducing reduced susceptibility to penicillin without mutation of the penA gene have been described [ 71 ].…”

Neisseria meningitidis: analysis of pili and LPS in emerging Brazilian strains

“…Serogrouping was performed by slide agglutination with polyclonal sera and serosubtyping was performed by Dot-blotting with monoclonal antibodies, serological techniques routinely performed at the Bacteriology Center. 15 Table 1 shows the phenotypic characterization of the strains used.…”