A vaccine that provides all-round protection against meningitis bugs has been developed by British scientists, it was revealed today.
The breakthrough could for the first time allow doctors to immunise children against meningitis B - the most dangerous form.
About 10 per cent of children who suffer bacterial meningitis die, and the survivors are often severely handicapped. Vaccines can already protect against the A and C groups of meningitis strains.
The new vaccine was tested on mice by scientists at the University of Surrey in Guildford. The research was published today in the journal Infection and Immunity.
Although there is more work to do, the research holds out real hope of a revolution in meningitis prevention.
The Surrey University team, led by Professor Johnjoe McFadden, genetically engineered a mutant meningococcus germ incapable of causing disease in mice. Although the bug belonged to the C group, mice injected with it produced antibodies that killed B and C bugs as well.
The mice were effectively immunised against all three kinds of bacterial meningitis.
Prof McFadden's team is now analysing the immune responses in the mice to identify the molecules being targeted by the mouse antibodies.
PA