Meningococcus B Vaccination Effectiveness Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection in People Living With HIV: A Case-Control Study

Sex Transm Dis. 2023 May 1;50(5):247-251. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001771. Epub 2023 Jan 13.

Abstract

Background: We assessed the vaccination effectiveness (VE) of multicomponent meningococcal serogroup B (4CMenB) vaccine against gonorrhea among people living with HIV (PLWH) with a previous diagnosis of sexually transmitted infection.

Methods: Unmatched case-control study on men who have sex with men living with HIV, in care at San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy, with gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or anal human papillomavirus between July 2016 (beginning of 4CMenB vaccination) and February 2021 (date of freezing). For the analysis, cases were people with ≥1 gonorrhea infection since July 2016, and controls were people with ≥1 syphilis, chlamydia, or anal human papillomavirus infection since July 2016. Logistic regression was used to provide the estimate of 4CMenB VE against gonorrhea.

Results: Included people living with HIV were 1051 (103 cases, 948 controls); 349 of 1051 (33%) received 2 doses of 4CMenB vaccination. The median follow-up was 3.8 years (2.1-4.3 years). The unadjusted estimate for VE against gonorrhea was 42% (95% confidence interval, 6%-64%; P = 0.027). Logistic regression showed that VE against gonorrhea remained significant (44%; 95% confidence interval, 9%-65%; P = 0.020) after adjusting for some factors that might have a potential influence on VE or those with significant unbalanced distributions between cases and controls at univariable analysis.

Conclusions: 4CMenB vaccination is associated with a lower risk of gonorrhea in the setting of men who have sex with men living with HIV with a previous sexually transmitted infection.

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Gonorrhea* / diagnosis
  • Gonorrhea* / epidemiology
  • Gonorrhea* / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / epidemiology
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningococcal Infections* / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections* / prevention & control
  • Meningococcal Vaccines*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae
  • Neisseria meningitidis*
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Syphilis*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Meningococcal Vaccines