Correlation of group C meningococcal conjugate vaccine response with B- and T-lymphocyte activity.

Despite the success of conjugate vaccination against meningococcal group C (MenC) disease, post-vaccination, some individuals still exhibit rapid waning of initially protective bactericidal antibody levels. The mechanism of this relative loss of humoral protection remains undetermined. In this report we have investigated the relationship between T- and B-cell activation and co-stimulation and the loss of protective antibody titers.

Kinetics of immune responses to nasal challenge with meningococcal polysaccharide one year after serogroup-C glycoconjugate vaccination.

Background: Recipients of serogroup-C glycoconjugate meningococcal vaccine (MCC) exhibit waning of serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titers, but the rate of decline and the speed of their immunological memory in response to new meningococcal nasopharyngeal colonization are unknown.

Methods: In a prospective challenge study, we measured persistence of SBA and anti-Neisseria meningitidis serogroup-C (MenC) immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA in adults aged 18-39, 28 days and 12 months after receiving MCC. Volunteers were then challenged intranasally with 50 μg MenC polysaccharide to mimic meningococcal colonization, and systemic and mucosal antibody responses were measured.

Developing an innovative approach to tackling men's health issues.

Men are notoriously reluctant to seek health advice, particularly if it involves urological problems. A multidisciplinary team in Northern Ireland came up with some innovative initiatives to address some major health issues facing men in their community, involving meetings in a pub and a mosque, and a men's health roadshow.