Circumvention of herd immunity during an outbreak of meningococcal disease could be correlated to escape mutation in the porA gene of Neisseria meningitidis.

ABSTRACT: Meningococcal strains isolated during an outbreak were shown to belong to the ET-5 complex and to harbor a mutation in the VR2 region of the porA gene. They were less susceptible to the bactericidal effect of normal human serum than was the ET-5 wild-type strain. These results are of concern, as PorA is a potential target in vaccine design.

SUBMITTER: Taha MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC98115 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature