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Association of a bacteriophage with meningococcal disease in young adults

Emmanuelle Bille1, Roisin Ure, Stephen J Gray

  • 1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France.

Plos One
|December 10, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A specific bacteriophage found in Neisseria meningitidis may increase its potential to cause meningitis, particularly in young adults. This molecular epidemiology study links the phage to meningococcal disease virulence.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis but is often asymptomatic.
  • The genetic basis of N. meningitidis virulence is not fully understood.
  • A lack of suitable animal models hinders virulence factor research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of a temperate bacteriophage as a potential virulence factor in N. meningitidis.
  • To establish a statistical association between the bacteriophage and invasive meningococcal disease.

Main Methods:

  • Molecular epidemiological approach.
  • Analysis of bacteriophage distribution in 1288 N. meningitidis isolates from disease cases and asymptomatic carriers.
  • Statistical analysis to correlate phage presence with disease and pathogenic potential.

Main Results:

  • The temperate bacteriophage was over-represented in disease isolates, especially from young adults.
  • The phage was linked to between 20% and 45% of the pathogenic potential in common disease-causing meningococcal groups.
  • This suggests the phage contributes to invasive meningococcal disease.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular epidemiology can effectively estimate virulence factor influence in human-specific diseases without animal models.
  • The studied bacteriophage is a significant candidate virulence factor for Neisseria meningitidis.
  • The findings provide insights into meningococcal pathogenesis and disease prevention strategies.

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