Patent ID: 7368556

Claim:
A DNA vector, comprising an isolated DNA which is specific to Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), or the complement of said DNA which is specific to Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng), wherein said DNA or the complement of said DNA hybridizes on a Southern blot to SEQ ID NO:95 and does not hybridize on a Southern blot to a DNA sequence of Neisseria lactamica (Nl) strain Nl8064, under the following hybridization conditions: 16 h at 65°C., with a solution comprising 0.5 M NaPO 4 pH 7.2, 0.001 M EDTA-Na, 1% bovine serum albumin and 7% sodium dodecylsulphate, followed by at least two washes in a solution comprising 40 mM NaPO 4 pH 7.2, 1 mM EDTA, and 1% SDS, the final wash being conducted at 65°C. for 5 minutes, provided that said DNA or the complement of said DNA is not pilC, or a gene involved in the biosynthesis of any one of a polysaccharide capsule, an IgA protease, pilin, a protein which binds transferrin, a protein which binds lactoferrin, and an opacity protein wherein said DNA is located in Nm within an islet involved in the colonization of the nasopharynx or invasion of the submucousal space or systemic dissemination of Nm.