Scientists from Nottingham Trent University have identified the precise but previously unknown genetic characteristics of a strain of bacteria that can cause meningitis in babies.
The discovery is expected to pave the way for future work to help eliminate the possibility of babies developing the disease.
The bacterium Cronobacter can be found in the environment, water and food, making it difficult to control a baby's contact with it.
If infected, it often leads to severe gastroenteritis, but in some cases it can lead to a severe form of brain-damaging meningitis.
Until now though, scientists have been unable to determine why some babies have gone on to develop meningitis and others don't.
The discovery at Nottingham Trent University has solved that mystery, pinpointing the precise characteristics of a strain of the bacteria that has the ability to migrate from a baby's gut, through the blood/brain barrier and lead to meningitis.
The findings follow years of work for a research team at the University, led by Prof Steve Forsythe.
Using samples collected from six countries over the past 30 years, Prof Forsythe and his colleagues have used a DNA-profiling method known as Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) to understand the genetic characteristics of the bacteria and trace its lineage and evolution.
In 2009 they discovered a particular bacterial variety that was only found in clinical cases.
It was while carrying out further work that Prof Forsythe noticed the unique DNA fingerprint for strains that were being detected in the majority of meningitis cases.
Work in understanding Cronobacter will continue at Nottingham Trent University, with Prof Forsythe's research team turning its attention to developing methods with which to track and identify the bacterium.
These latest findings are due to be published in the American scientific journal 'Emerging Infectious Disease', while Prof Forsythe and his colleague Susan Joseph will also present their discovery at the international American Society for Microbiology Conference from 21 to 24 May.
