Predicted strain coverage of a new protein-based meningococcal vaccine in the Czech Republic.

BACKGROUND: Recent data indicate that Neisseria meningitidis B strains cause about 70% of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases in Europe and the availability of a vaccine effective against N. meningitidis B is desirable. A new protein-based MenB vaccine was licensed for use in Europe in January 2013. Meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) was developed to predict strain coverage of this vaccine. Reports have recently been published for a European consortium, including aggregated data for the Czech Republic. The aim of this paper is to provide a detailed breakdown of MATS results for the Czech N. meningitidis B isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight N. meningitidis B isolates from IMD collected in the Czech Republic during 2007-2010 were selected. MATS analysis was done according to the method previously published. RESULTS: Based on MATS analysis, the overall estimate of strain coverage of the new MenB vaccine for a panel of 108 Czech N. meningitidis B strains is 74% (95% CI: 59-87%). Thirty-nine strains (36%) are predicted to be covered by a single antigen and 41 strains (38%) by more than one antigen. For 28 strains (26%), no antigen coverage was found. CONCLUSIONS: MATS analysis showed that the new protein-based MenB vaccine could protect against a substantial proportion of IMD caused by N. meningitidis B in the Czech Republic. Continued detailed surveillance of IMD will be essential if the MenB vaccine is introduced to the country.