Researchers are an important step closer to finding a vaccine that protects against a wide range of strains of meningococcal B - the most common cause of meningococcal disease in Western Australia.

 

New research published Online First in The Lancet Infectious Diseases showed the trials of the potential vaccine had found it to be safe and that it stimulated an effective immune response.

 

The report's author, Associate Professor Peter Richmond, from The University of Western Australia,\ School of Paediatrics and Child Health heads the Vaccine Trials Group, a collaboration between the UWA-affiliated Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and Princess Margaret Hospital.

 

Dr Richmond said the trial data showed that the potential vaccine produced protective antibodies against 90% of the invasive meningococcus serogroup B strains tested.

 

This phase 2 trial enrolled 539 healthy adolescents from 25 sites across Australia, Poland and Spain to test the safety and immune response of the lipoprotein 2086 vaccine.

 

The B strains of the bacteria account for more than 90% per cent of meningococcal cases in WA.

 

"Meningococcal B can cause meningitis and blood poisoning and can progress very quickly with devastating effects," Dr Richmond said.

 

"Children between the ages of one month and one year are most at risk from meningococcal with a second peak in adolescents.

 

"This is the last major cause of meningitis for which we don't have a vaccine so we are very excited about the progress towards developing a safe and effective vaccine."

 

Dr Richmond said the next stage of development would involve bigger trials in a wider range of age groups.