Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2026

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage
Published on: February 15, 2013
Candidate Neisseria meningitidis NspA vaccine
D Martin1, B R Brodeur, J Hamel
1Unite de Recherche en Vaccinologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Pavillon CHUL et Université Laval, Sainte-Foy, G1V 4G2, Québec, Canada. denis.martin@crchul.ulaval.ca
Abstract:
The highly conserved NspA protein has been found in the outer membrane of every Neisseria meningitidis strain tested so far. Two monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against this protein were used to demonstrate that biologically important epitopes of the NspA protein are exposed at the surface of serologically distinct meningococcal strains. Analysis of sera collected from mice that survived a deadly meningococcal challenge following immunization with recombinant NspA protein (rNspA) revealed the presence of cross-reactive antibodies which efficiently attached to and killed the four serogroup B strains tested. These data are additional proof that the NspA protein is exposed at the surface of intact meningococcal cells, which is an important characteristic for a vaccine candidate.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Meningitis
Viral Meningitis
Arboviral Encephalitis
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

