Washington, Jan 8 - Gold nanoparticles enable faster detection of meningococcal meningitis and minimise fatalities, according to a new study.

Meningitis progresses rapidly and can cause death if left untreated. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizures, coma, stiffness in knees and hips and shock.

Developed by Sapna Thoduka, doctoral candidate at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Techonology (RMIT), the method notes change in the colour of gold nanoparticle solution to indicate the presence of meningococcal DNA.

The change is read by the naked eye and the technique is being fine tuned for use in a point-of-care clinical setting, says an RMIT release.

"In the future, this will hopefully lead to more rapid detection of meningococcal disease and earlier treatment, which will ultimately result in fewer deaths and less severe complications," said Thoduka.

By diagnosing the disease early, it is possible to prevent death or severe complications by giving patients the most appropriate treatment. (IANS)