Genetic basis of host susceptibility to meningococcal disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Genetic basis of host susceptibility to meningococcal disease
IRAS ID
189177
Contact name
Ray Borrow
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Public Health England
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 29 days
Research summary
Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is the main cause of bacterial meningitis and is also responsible for septicaemia with cases in about 1 in every 100,000 persons per year in the UK. Although vaccines are available for serogroups A, C, W and Y there is no universal vaccine for serogroup B (MenB) strains although a broad coverage vaccine, Bexsero®, is included into the infant immunisation schedule (from September 2015). A key question is what makes a person vunerable to meningococcal disease, given that many persons carry these bacteria in their throats without developing disease. It is known that a person's complement system is critical for protection against meningococcal disease. Complement is a part of the human immune system that helps the ability of antibodies to clear bacteria.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0191
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion