Meningitis research

Over the past 21 years, the Meningitis Trust has spent over five million pounds on research.

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With the availability of effective vaccines to prevent some types of meningitis and septicaemia, and the potential production of a vaccine to prevent meningococcal group B disease within the next few years, the Trust is now focusing its research on the after-effects of these devastating diseases.

In early 2008, the Trust commissioned a project (MOSAIC) to investigate the true impact of meningococcal disease in children. The aims of this project were to measure the physical, emotional and economic burden of the disease.

This project was completed in December 2010, and the findings have indicated that those who have suffered meningococcal disease are more likely to experience mental health disorder and memory problems. They are also more likely to need additional educational support and receive disability allowance.

The results have already been used to support the need for future meningococcal vaccines and are also supporting our education campaign.

The project has been published in the Lancet Neurology. For more information, including an overview of the report click here.

Other research

Research is essential to improve our understanding of all aspects of meningitis and septicaemia. At present, research centres across the UK and around the world are working on projects that aim to increase our understanding of diagnosis, treatment, prevention and outcomes of these devastating diseases. Access to this research means that we are able to keep up to date with developments both in the UK and worldwide. This helps us to provide recent and relevant disease information materials and educational resources.

The experience of multiple limb loss following meningococcal septicaemia

The Meningitis Trust is working with the University of Southampton to carry out a study to explore the experiences of people who have multiple limb loss following meningococcal septicaemia. We are inviting people who have had multiple amputations as a result of meningococcal septicaemia who are aged over 14 years or are the parents or guardians of children and young people (under 18 years) who have had multiple amputations as a result of the disease to take part.

The study will involve each participant taking part in a one-to-one audio-recorded interview with a researcher that will either be face-to-face or on the telephone. If you are interested in hearing more about the study and receiving an information pack, please contact Jane Blewitt at the Meningitis Trust on 01453 768000 or email: janeb@meningitis-trust.org

Neonatal research

Has your baby recently had meningitis?

Would you like to find out about an important study aiming to measure the number of cases of bacterial meningitis in babies less than 90 days old? Click here to download more information.

Meningitis UK

www.meningitisuk.org

We work closely with Meningitis UK, which funds research programmes at leading institutions and universities across the UK.

While there are vaccines to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis, there is still no vaccine to protect against all forms of the disease, including the most common in the UK - Meningococcal Group B (also referred to as Meningitis B).

Meningitis still kills more under-fives than any other infectious disease and, sadly, six families have to face the sudden tragedy of losing a loved one to meningitis every week.

Because the disease can kill in under four hours and the symptoms are notoriously difficult to spot, Meningitis UK believes a preventative vaccine is the only way to spare people this heartache. Its Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign aims to raise £7million to help fund cutting-edge research to help achieve this goal and save thousands of lives in the future.

Funded projects range from studies of specific immunity-boosting proteins and potential vaccine candidates, to understanding the mutation of certain strains of meningococcal bacteria against existing vaccines.

Steve Dayman, the charity's Chief Executive, tragically lost his 14-month-old son Spencer to meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in 1982. Steve has since dedicated his life to the meningitis cause, working tirelessly to raise funds to find a vaccine which could change the fate of others who might otherwise find themselves in the same terrible position.