Can a Meningococcal Vaccine Protect against Gonorrhea?

Clinical takeaway

: In an Australian trial, 4CMenB did not reduce the incidence of gonorrhea among men who have sex with men.

Context

Observational studies suggest that the four-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB) may also reduce the risk for the other significant pathogen in the Neisseria genus: N. gonorrhoeae. Now, in an industry-supported, double-blind trial, researchers in Australia have examined the vaccine’s efficacy among nearly 600 men who have sex with men (MSM; 10% living with HIV) at increased risk for gonorrhea who were randomized to receive two doses of 4CMenB or placebo.

Key Results

The incidence of a first N. gonorrhoeae infection ≥4 weeks after the second dose was similar with the vaccine and placebo (≈48 per 100 person-years; vaccine efficacy, −0.5%).
Vaccine efficacy did not appear to differ according to HIV status, age, or number of…

Reviewing Author

Carlos del Rio, M.D.

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes; Vaccines

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesInternational Antiviral Society–USA (Board of Directors); Infectious Diseases Society of America (Past President)