LONDON (Reuters) - British scientists said on Tuesday that the results of animal experiments could lead to the development of a vaccine against all forms of meningitis. Research at the University of Surrey used genetic engineering to make mice immune to a broad range of strains of the disease, including group B strains for which there are currently no vaccines.
“This is the first time I am aware of that an experiment has been able to demonstrate protection against multiple strains of meningitis,” said Professor Johnjoe McFadden, who led the research team.
“There are still many years work to do but we are hopeful that it is going to give us a route toward developing a broad vaccine,” he said.
“The unique thing about this research is that it provides hope for a complete vaccine protecting people against all types of the meningococcal bacteria -- the most common cause of meningitis worldwide,” said Will Guyatt, spokesman for the Meningitis Trust, which contributed quarter of a million pounds to the research.
“Whilst there is already a vaccine available to protect against group C meningitis, it is important to find a vaccine for group B as it continues to kill hundreds of people in the UK every year,” Guyatt said.
MeSH Headings: Drugs, Investigational
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