#$%^&*AU2012211495A120120830.pdf#####ABSTRACT The present invention provides a pathogenic bacterium with a knockout mutation of the meningococcal homolog mitA gene. Knockout of the mItA gene results in spontaneous release of vesicles that can elicit antibody responses which are comparably higher than that of the wild-type. Further provided are compositions comprising of meningococcal vesicles which are particularly useful in vaccine preparation.