Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup Y Polysaccharide Capsule (Serogroup Y Capsule)

The *Neisseria meningitidis* serogroup Y polysaccharide capsule is a surface-expressed carbohydrate structure that encapsulates the bacterium. It consists of repeating units of D-glucose and N-acetylneuraminic acid linked via α(2→6) glycosidic bonds. This capsule is a critical virulence factor, enabling the organism to evade host immune responses. It serves as the basis for serogroup classification and a key target for conjugate vaccines, such as MenACWY, providing protection against invasive meningococcal disease. Serogroup Y has become an increasingly important cause of invasive disease, including pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis.

Other names

Group Y CapsuleNmY CapsuleSerogroup Y Polysaccharide

Antibodies targeting the capsule promote complement-mediated killing and/or opsonophagocytosis of *N. meningitidis*.