immune testing in meningococcal disease

Last reviewed 06/2021

  • test children and young people for complement deficiency if they have had either:
    • more than one episode of meningococcal disease, or
    • one episode of meningococcal disease caused by serogroups other than B (for example A, C, Y, W135, X, 29E), or
    • meningococcal disease caused by any serogroup and a history of other recurrent or serious bacterial infections
  • children and young people with recurrent episodes of meningococcal disease should be assessed by a specialist in infectious disease or immunology
  • do not test children and young people for complement deficiency who have had either:
    • a single episode of meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B meningococcus, or
    • unconfirmed meningococcal disease
  • if a child or young person who has had meningococcal disease has a family history of meningococcal disease or complement deficiency, test the child or young person for complement deficiency
  • if a child or young person who has had meningococcal disease is found to have complement deficiency, test their parents and siblings for complement deficiency
  • refer children and young people with complement deficiency to a healthcare professional with expertise in the management of the condition
  • do not test children and young people for immunoglobulin deficiency if they have had meningococcal disease, unless they have a history suggestive of an immunodeficiency (that is, a history of serious, persistent, unusual, or recurrent infections).

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