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Comparative long-term adverse effects elicited by invasive group B and C meningococcal infections

Magnus Gottfredsson1, Ingi K Reynisson, Ragnar F Ingvarsson

  • 1Department of Medicine, The National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. magnusgo@landspitali.is

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|September 28, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found no evidence that Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) infection increases autoimmunity risk. MenC infections, however, were linked to higher rates of arthritis and migraine headaches.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) shares capsular polysaccharide (PSA) with neural cell adhesion molecules.
  • This molecular mimicry raises concerns about MenB infection or PSA vaccination potentially triggering autoimmune or neurological diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term association between MenB infection and autoimmune disorders.
  • To compare the prevalence of neurological and autoimmune complications following MenB versus MenC infections.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective nationwide study in Iceland (1975-2004) linked invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases with autoimmune diagnoses.
  • A follow-up study assessed 120 IMD survivors (70 MenB, 50 MenC) using standardized questionnaires and measured serum IgG levels against MenB and MenC capsular polysaccharides.

Main Results:

  • No increased autoimmunity was observed in MenB cases compared to MenC.
  • MenC infections were associated with higher rates of arthritis and migraine headaches (P = .008, P = .01, respectively).
  • No significant differences in depression or anxiety scores were found; antibody levels did not correlate with reported symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • The study does not support the hypothesis that MenB infection predisposes individuals to autoimmunity.
  • MenC infections show a higher association with arthritis and migraine headaches.
  • Long-term follow-up revealed no evidence of antibody-associated pathology in relation to MenB or MenC infections.

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