Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis in Europe: a review of studies undertaken in the region

Abstract

Meningococcal conjugate vaccines induce herd protection by preventing nasopharyngeal meningococcal acquisition, which is a prerequisite for invasive disease. Thus, meningococcal carriage epidemiology is important in understanding relationships between carriage and disease. A literature search traced information on meningococcal carriage in 27 EU countries. Meningococcal carriage prevalence differed within and between countries, varying across age groups, serogroup distribution and over time. Carriage prevalence increased during childhood, peaking in 15–24-year-olds. While serogroup B was usually the dominant serogroupable carried serogroup, serogroups C, W-135 and Y were also frequently carried. Current carriage studies in Europe are limited. New studies using standardized methods are needed to improve our understanding of meningococcal disease etiology and transmission, and to monitor the impact of meningococcal conjugate vaccines in populations.

Keywords::

• carriage
• conjugate vaccine
• epidemiology
• Europe
• Neisseria meningitidis

Disclosure

All authors contributed to the conception and design of the manuscript. All authors contributed to manuscript review and approved the final version.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Veronique Mouton, Stephanie Harbers and Wouter Houthoofd (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) for assistance in coordination and submission of the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals has paid for all costs associated with the development and publication of the present manuscript. Montse Soriano-Gabarró was an employee of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals between January 2005 and January 2010. Joanne Wolter is an independent consultant and medical writer who received funding from GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals to conduct the literature research and to write this manuscript. Cosmina Hogea and Andrew Vyse are employees of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript. Publication coordination assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript, which was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals.