Breakthrough In Hope For Meningitis Vaccine

[Turborama]

Source: Sky News

Doctors have discovered a possible breakthrough in finding a vaccine for the deadliest strain of meningitis. They have identified certain human genes which are behind the infection - and these could lead to vital clues on how best to treat it.

Genetic factors behind the deaths of children struck down by meningitis have been identified for the first time.

Currently there is no vaccine for the Group B strain which each year claims thousands of live around the world.

Scientists scoured the genetic codes of more than 6,000 people for clues to why certain individuals are more vulnerable to attacks by meningococcal meningitis than others. They found evidence that genetics plays a key role in the way the body responds to the infection.

Read more: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Meningitis-Vaccine-Hope-After-Genetics-Breakthrough-Identifies-Genes-Which-Cause-Infection/Article/201008215679231?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15679231_Meningitis_Vaccine_Hope_After_Genetics_

[aquart]

1. Nifty.

[eggplant]

2. A good friend's 15 year old just died from this recently.

Let's hope we can prevent other parents from having to deal with that.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

3. I have a big brother I never met because meningitis killed him.

He died as an infant. I do have photos of him but it would not be right to post them. It was terrible.

To you, Johnny. I still hope to meet you one day. :toast: