Neisseria meningitidis Capsular Polysaccharide Serogroup A (CPS Serogroup A)

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A capsular polysaccharide is a polymer of N-acetyl-mannosamine-1-phosphate and a major virulence factor responsible for the bacterium's ability to cause invasive meningococcal disease. It enables the organism to evade the host's immune system. It is also a primary target for vaccine development. Vaccines against this polysaccharide induce protective immunity by generating antibodies that promote bacterial killing.

Other names

N. meningitidis serogroup A capsuleGroup A meningococcal polysaccharideSerogroup A CPSN-acetyl-mannosamine-1-phosphate polymer (N. meningitidis)

Vaccines induce antibodies against the capsular polysaccharide, leading to opsonization, complement activation, and killing of the bacteria. Conjugate vaccines elicit a T-cell dependent immune response, resulting in longer-lasting immunity, especially in infants.