A recent research carried out jointly by scientists from the universities of Bristol and Harvard has shown the way in which immune system can detect and destroy the bacterium, pneumococcus. It paves the way for the development of a novel vaccine for the prevention of diseases like meningitis and pneumonia that are found in both children and adults. Many infections start because of the carriage of this bug in the nose.  The existing vaccines for these diseases are not suitable for use in poorer countries as they are too expensive. Immune cells called TH17 cells have been identified as beneficial in killing this bug.

New Phase III data released by Novartis Pharmaceuticals showed that its under-development vaccine against four types of meningococcal strains produces a better antibody response than a commonly used existing vaccine. New Phase III data for Menveo® (MenACWY-CRM) depicts that the vaccine produced a greater immune response against meningococcal strains A, C, W-135 and Y in adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years, as compared to Sanofi Pasteur’s Menactra®. Infection with any of these four vaccine-preventable serogroups (strains) can lead to bacterial meningitis, an infection of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, or sepsis, a serious infection of the blood stream.