Meningitis

 

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges (the membrane lining of the brain and spinal cord). It usually refers to infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites.

 

Bacterial meningitis is the most common life-threatening type of meningitis and can cause death within hours.  Most cases of bacterial meningitis in children and adults are now caused by meningococcal and pneumococcal bacteria.

 

Meningococcal bacteria can also cause septicaemia (blood poisoning) and in Australia, most disease is now caused by the B strain for which there is no licensed vaccine.  In WA, over 80 per cent of meningitis cases are caused by the B strain.

 

The introduction of Commonwealth Government-funded vaccines for Hib, pneumococcal and meningococcal C diseases has seen case numbers drop significantly.

 

Our research
During 2007, we continued studies into an exciting world-first trial of a new meningococcal B vaccine.  The initial first-in-man study in healthy adults showed protective antibody responses to many Group B strains.  Studies are now ongoing in toddlers and adolescents eight to 14 years of age.  We are also involved in infant and toddler trials of combination vaccines against meningitis which hope to reduce the number of injections children need.  

 

The Meningitis Centre, which is housed at the Institute, is Australia’s premier organisation for information about meningitis.  The Centre has been working with the community and government since 1992 to raise awareness of all forms of meningitis and funding for vaccines.  The Centre also provides support and information to families affected by meningitis and works to increase public awareness of, and foster research into, meningitis.  The Meningitis Centre has taken an active role in the  international Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (COMO), an organisation of medical and charity leaders from across the world united to increase the international profile of meningitis, with Centre Chairman Bruce Langoulant taking on the COMO President role.  More information about The Meningitis Centre may be found at www.meningitis.com.au