Meningococcal B vaccine antigen FHbp variants among disease-causing Neisseria meningitidis B isolates, Italy, 2014-2017.

MenB circulating in Italy were characterized by a remarkable association between clonal complex and FHbp variants, although a high degree of genetic diversity observed over time. A dynamic trend in clonal complexes distribution within MenB was detected. Our results stress the importance of continued meningococcal molecular surveillance to evaluate the potential vaccine coverage of the available MenB vaccines.