What does this research mean for the field?

Clonal complex 213 of Neisseria meningitidis has expanded in Spain, posing a potential threat to the effectiveness of the 4CMenB vaccine. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The primary aim is to analyze the genomic features of invasive Neisseria meningitidis strains in Spain and assess vaccine strain coverage.

March 1, 2026Open Access

Genomic characterization of invasive Neisseria meningitidis in Spain (2011/12–2022/23): expansion of clonal complex 213 and the potential threat to 4CMenB vaccine strain coverage

Key Points

The primary aim is to analyze the genomic features of invasive Neisseria meningitidis strains in Spain and assess vaccine strain coverage.
Genomic sequencing of Neisseria meningitidis isolates from 2011 to 2023
Analysis of clonal complex expansion
Assessment of vaccine strain coverage implications
Identification of an expansion in clonal complex 213
Evidence of potential reduced coverage for the 4CMenB vaccine
Increased prevalence of invasive strains over the specified period

Abstract

This work was supported by the “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” and cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant number FIS PI21/00132, and by the “Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red” (CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas) grant number CB21/13/00054.

Genomic characterization of invasive Neisseria meningitidis in Spain (2011/12–2022/23): expansion of clonal complex 213 and the potential threat to 4CMenB vaccine strain coverage

Key Points

Abstract

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