TABLE 1.
Summary of N. meningitidis strains
| Straina | Country | Yr | Serologic classificationb | PorA VR designation (sequence)c | Immunotype | NspA reactivityd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homologous | ||||||
| 1000 | Russia | 1989 | B:NT:5 | 5-1,10-4 | NT | ++ |
| 8047 | United States | 1978 | B:2b:5,2 | 5-1,2-2 | 3,7,9 | ++ |
| BZ198e | The Netherlands | 1986 | B:NT:4 | 7-2,4 | NT | ++ |
| BZ232f | The Netherlands | 1964 | B:5,2 | 5-2,2-2 | 2,5 | V |
| BZ83 | The Netherlands | 1984 | B:NT:5,10 | 5-2,10 | 3,7 | + |
| M986 | United States | 1963 | B:2a:5,2 | 5,2 | 3,7,9 | − |
| NGP165 | Norway | 1974 | B:NT:5,2 | 5,2 | 3,7 | − |
| NMB | United States | 1982 | B:2b:5,2 | 5-1,2-2 | 2 | + |
| RM1090e | United States | Pre-1995 | C:2a:5,2 | 5-1,2 | 3,7,9 | ++ |
| Z1092e | West Germany | 1964 | A:4,21:10 | 5-2,10 | 10 | + |
| Heterologous | ||||||
| BZ147 | The Netherlands | 1963 | B:NT:NST | 18-2,1-2 | 3,7,9 | − |
| CU385 | Cuba | 1980 | B:4,7:19,15 | 19,15 | 3,7,9 | ++ |
| H44/76 | Norway | 1976 | B:15:7,16 | 7,16 | 3,7 | − |
| MC58 | United Kingdom | 1985 | B:15:7,16 | 7,16-2 | 3,7,9 | V |
| NG3/88 | Norway | 1988 | B:8:1 | 7-1,1 | 3,7 | ++ |
| NGH15 | Norway | 1988 | B:8:15 | 19,15-2 | NT | + |
| NGH38 | Norway | 1988 | B:NT:3 | 18-1,3 | 2,5 | + |
| S3032 | United States | 1973 | B:19,7:12,16 | 12,16 | 3,7,9 | ++ |
| S3446 | United States | 1972 | B:19,14:23,14 | 23,14 | 3,7,9 | ++ |
| SWZ107 | Switzerland | 1986 | B:4:14 | 22-1,14 | 3,7,9 | − |
Homologous strains are considered to have PorA VR types homologous to that of one of the vaccine strains. The remaining strains are considered to be heterologous. In order to be consistent, strains that have related but not identical VR types (e.g. 7, 7-1, or 7-2) are defined as heterologous, since even one amino acid difference can result in differences in susceptibility to bactericidal activity (see Results for an example).
NT, nonserotypeable; NST, nonserosubtypeable (with available MAbs).
Based on the proposed PorA VR-type designation nomenclature of Sacchi et al. (30).
As determined by flow cytometry with the anti-NspA MAb AL12. Results were scored as follows: −, <50% of total fluorescent events have an intensity above the background level when tested at 100 μg of MAb/ml; +, ≥50% of total fluorescent events have an intensity above the background level at 100 μg/ml; ++, ≥50% of total fluorescent events have an intensity above the background level at 10 μg/ml; V, subcultures were variable, ranging from − to ++ as described elsewhere (21).
Vaccine strain.
Strain BZ232 was used only in the rat protection assay.