Meningococcal Vaccines: Methods and Protocols

by Andrew J. Pollard (Editor), Martin C.J. Maiden (Editor)

Overview

Since the first recognition of outbreaks of cerebrospinal or spotted fever at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries, the menace of the meningococcus has been high on the list of public health prio- ties. Few if any pathogens surpass the meningococcus in the rapidity and sev- ity with which it devastates previously healthy individuals. The challenge of understanding the biology of this fascinating microbe is immense, but few will doubt that successful control of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia will only transpire through the application of a body of extraordinary detailed inf- mation, including key minutiae of its molecular biology. In the first of two companion volumes, Meningococcal Vaccines, the team of experts gathered by Andy Pollard and Martin Maiden converge to p- vide an impressive accumulation of molecular tools with which to lay bare the secrets of the meningococcus. The results of this ambitious and welcome v- ume represent an exciting and much needed resource for all of us in the field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780896038011
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	06/25/2001
Series:	Methods in Molecular Medicine , #66
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	421
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.04(d)

Table of Contents

Meningococcal Vaccines and Vaccine Developments.- Immune Response and Host-Pathogen Interactions.- Purification of Capsular Polysaccharide.- Protein-Polysaccharide Conjugation.- N-Propionylation.- Outer Membrane Protein Purification.- Outer Membrane Protein Vesicle Vaccines for Meningococcal Disease.- Methods for Manipulation of Transferrin-Binding Proteins.- Methods for the Preparation and Crystallization of Fab Fragments in Complex with Peptide Antigens Derived from N. meningitidis Outer Membrane Proteins.- Application of Optical Biosensor Techniques to the Characterization of PorA-Antibody Binding Kinetics.- Construction of porA Mutants.- Construction of LPS Mutants.- Recombinant Proteins in Vaccine Development.- Identification of Peptides that Mimic N. meningitidis LOS Epitopes Via the Use of Combinatorial Phage-Display Libraries.- Testing Meningococcal Vaccines for Mitogenicity and Superantigenicity.- Early Experiences with Nasal Vaccines against Meningococcal Disease.- Animal Models for Meningococcal Disease.- Determination of Antibody Responses to Meningococcal Antigens by ELISA.- Immunoblot Analysis of Sera from Patients and Vaccinees.- Serogroup B and C Serum Bactericidal Assays.- A Modified ELISA for Measurement of High-Avidity IgG Antibodies to Meningococcal Serogroup C Polysaccharide that Correlate with Bactericidal Titers.- Whole-Blood Model.- Antibody-Induced Opsonophagocytosis of Serogroup B Meningococci Measured by Flow Cytometry.- T-Cell Responses Against Meningococcal Antigens.- CD4 T-Cell Epitope Mapping.- Epitope Mapping.- Meningococcal Vaccine Trials.- The Introduction of Group C Conjugate Meningococcal Vaccine into the UK.

Editorial Reviews

"This volume is an impressive collection of the latest techniques in the development, evaluation and application of meningococcal vaccines. The easy-to-follow prools each preceded by a brief introduction into the topic were provided by leading scientists in the field. Andrew Pollard and Martin Maiden did a great job in assembling these prools into one volume - a work we all in the meningococcal field have waited for." - International Journal of Medical Microbiology.

"The strength of this text is that it provides a key reference source, enabling researchers in the field to avoid reinventing the wheel. The text also provides the basis for the development of new ideas. Each chapter takes a step-by-step approach with clearly set out notes highlighting the problem areas. All the chapters have comprehensive bibliographies, and are well structured. The text is easily accessible and is recommended to those who are seeking to critically appraise the field of meningococcal vaccines." - Epidemiology and Infection

"This book and its accompanying volume are well produced, easy to read and well edited. Andrew Pollard and Martin Maiden are to be congratulated in bringing together in these two volumes an enormous amount of information about this very important topical infection." -Molecular Biotechnology

From the Publisher

Reports on the latest molecular and cellular techniques for the development, evaluation, and implementation of vaccines against Neisseria meningitidis, the causative agent of meningococcal disease. Scientists, clinicians, and public health physicians describe approaches to vaccine design and detail the assessment of immune response to vaccine candidates and novel vaccine formulations. A test case is presented on the implementation of a new vaccine in the UK. Some specific topics include recombinant proteins in vaccine development, experiences with nasal vaccines, and T-cell responses against meningococcal antigens. Pollard is affiliated with the BC Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health, Canada. Maiden is affiliated with the Wellcome Trust Center for the Epidemiology of Infectious Disease, UK. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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