Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus toxoid (None commonly established; "MenC-TT" is sometimes used in literature[7].)

Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus toxoid is the active antigenic component in certain meningococcal conjugate vaccines (e.g., MenC conjugate vaccines). It consists of the capsular polysaccharide from Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C, which is chemically linked to the tetanus toxoid protein. This conjugation converts the normally T-cell independent polysaccharide into a T-cell dependent antigen, thereby prompting robust, durable antibody responses even in infants and toddlers. Administration of vaccines containing this conjugate induces protective levels of bactericidal antibodies and primes for long-lasting immune memory, thereby reducing risk of invasive disease such as meningitis and bacteremia caused by N. meningitidis group C[1][2][4][7]. The meningococcal C-tetanus toxoid conjugate is widely used in pediatric immunization programs and is generally safe and well-tolerated[1][3][7].

Other names

Meningococcal group C conjugate antigenMenC conjugate (when context makes carrier clear)Neisseria meningitidis group C polysaccharide–tetanus toxoid conjugateMenC-TT (in literature)[7]Meningococcal C-tetanus toxoid conjugate[1][7]N. meningitidis C polysaccharide–tetanus toxoid conjugate[4]

Induces production of protective antibodies (IgG) against Neisseria meningitidis group C by presenting the bacterial capsular polysaccharide tethered to tetanus toxoid, thus enabling robust, T-cell dependent immune responses in infants and young children[1][2][4][7]. Primes immune system for immunologic memory (booster responses after later exposure to antigen)[2][7].