Written question asked by Jon Owen Jones (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 February 1997. It was answered by Lord Horam (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 February 1997 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: What assessment he has made of the most common laboratory difficulties involved in diagnosing whether a patient is suffering from C-group meningitis. - (Holding answer 27 January 1997).

Answer: Mr. Jon Owen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the most common laboratory difficulties involved in diagnosing whether a patient is suffering from C group meningitis. [13018] Mr. Horam: [holding answer 27 January 1997]: Pre-treatment with antibiotics is the main cause of difficulty in diagnosing meningococcal infection. New molecular techniques currently being developed will help overcome this difficulty. A further difficulty is that the organism may be slow to grow which can delay diagnosis.

Secondary information