MenB carriage dynamics
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MenB carriage dynamics amongst post-lockdown first-year university students
IRAS ID
328974
Contact name
Neil Oldfield
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 15 days
Research summary
This study will investigate the carriage and spread of meningococcal B (MenB) bacteria in first-year university students following arrival on campus. Carriage will be assessed by taking throat swabs to harvest bacteria, followed by molecular detection of meningococci and genetic characterisation of isolates. The traditional approach to meningococcal carriage studies has involved a doctor or nurse taking a throat swab from a study participant. Given recent widespread self-sampling for COVID-19 diagnosis, part of our study will investigate whether self-taken throat swabs have a similar sensitivity for detection of meningococci as swabs taken by health-care professionals. Meningococci will be detected, isolated and recovered MenB will be subject to whole genome sequencing. These DNA sequences will allow us to differentiate recovered MenB into different types based on the sequences of specific sets of genes and will tell us about the prevalence and spread of MenB lineages in the students during their first term at university. We can also use these sequences to predict whether immunization with the MenB vaccines, Bexsero or Trumenba, could protect individuals from meningitis or septicemic disease caused by these MenB strains. Comparing the strains detected in this study to other work performed prior to the pandemic will determine whether there has been a change in the types of MenB strains circulating amongst students.
Lay summary of study results: Meningococcal bacteria are commonly found in the throats of healthy young people, but they can sometimes cause serious illnesses such as meningitis and blood poisoning (sepsis). New university students are at greater risk of picking up these bacteria because they often live, study and socialize closely together. Monitoring how many students carry meningococcal bacteria, and which strains are present, helps inform vaccination policies and other public health measures.
This study investigated meningococcal carriage among first year students living in halls of residence at the University of Nottingham. We collected throat swabs from 400 students during Welcome Week in September 2024, and some students provided a second sample in November 2024.
The results showed that around 12% of students were carrying meningococcal bacteria in September. By November, this had increased significantly to 25%, suggesting that transmission occurs rapidly during the first months of university life. The most common type of meningococcus detected was group B, which accounted for about one-third of all isolates. Different group B strains were found, including strains known to cause a substantial proportion of meningococcal disease in the UK.
Importantly, no disease-causing group C bacteria were identified, and although groups W and Y were detected, none were expressing the protective capsule targeted by the MenACWY vaccine. This finding supports evidence that the UK adolescent MenACWY vaccination programme is working well to reduce carriage of groups W and Y among young adults. We also identified a penicillin-resistant group Y lineage that has rarely been seen in the UK previously.
The study also tested whether students could reliably collect their own throat swabs. Participation was low, with only 22% of the expected samples returned despite reminders and clear instructions. This suggests that self-swabbing may not be a practical approach for large meningococcal carriage studies in university students, and that swabbing carried out by study staff is likely to be more effective.
Overall, the study provides valuable information about the meningococcal strains currently circulating among UK university students in the period following the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings highlight the success of the UK’s adolescent MenACWY vaccination programme while also showing that diverse group B strains, including some associated with serious disease, continue to circulate. These results may help guide future strategies to further reduce the risk of meningococcal group B disease in students.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0741
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion