With the aim of studying the molecular diversity of the antigens of a new 
recombinant vaccine against meningococcus serogroup B, the three genes coding 
for the main vaccine components GNA (Genome-derived Neisseria Antigen) 1870 
(fHbp, factor H Binding Protein), GNA1994 (NadA, Neisseria adhesin A) and 
GNA2132 were sequenced in a panel of 85 strains collected worldwide and selected 
as representative of the serogroup B meningococcal diversity. No correlations 
were found between vaccine antigen variability and serogroup, geographic area 
and year of isolation. Although a relevant clustering was found with MLST clonal 
complexes, each showing an almost specific antigen variant repertoire, the 
prediction of the antigen assortment was not possible on the basis of MLST 
alone. Therefore, classification of meningococcus on the basis of MLST only is 
not sufficient to predict vaccine antigens diversity. Sequencing each gene in 
the different strains will be important to evaluate antigen conservation and 
assortment and to allow a future prediction of potential vaccine coverage.