Genetics ‘may influence meningitis risk’

An individual’s susceptibility to meningitis may be influenced by their genes, research suggests.

Scientists at Imperial College London and the Genome Institute of Singapore have identified genetic differences that appear to make some people more prone to developing meningitis and septicaemia, while others gain natural immunity.

The study, which is published in the journal Nature Genetics, looked at more than 6,000 individuals and suggests that some people’s genetic makeup makes them less able to counteract meningococcal bacteria.

Professor Michael Levin, from the department of paediatrics at Imperial College London, revealed that the majority of people have come into contact with the meningitis bacteria at some point, yet only one in 40,000 falls ill.

Steve Dayman, chief executive of Meningitis UK, said that the findings could aid the search for an effective vaccine against meningococcal disease.

“We welcome the breakthrough and hope it will take us even closer to eradicating the disease and saving thousands of lives in the future,” he added.