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Clinical and laboratory evidence for Neisseria meningitidis biofilms

R Brock Neil1, Michael A Apicella

  • 1University of Iowa, Hygienic Laboratory, 102 Oakdale Campus, H101 OH, Iowa City, IA 52242-5002, USA.

Future Microbiology
|June 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis can form biofilms, which may play a role in both asymptomatic carriage and active meningococcal disease. This review explores laboratory and clinical evidence linking biofilms to disease states.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis causes meningococcal meningitis.
  • Carriage rates are around 10%, with active disease at 1:100,000.
  • Biofilm formation by N. meningitidis has been recently demonstrated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role of N. meningitidis biofilms in disease.
  • To explore the link between biofilms, carriage, and active meningococcal meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent laboratory findings on N. meningitidis biofilm formation.
  • Analysis of clinical observations, including microcolony structures in patient samples.
  • Integration of in vitro and in vivo data.

Main Results:

  • N. meningitidis exhibits biofilm-forming capabilities on various surfaces and cells.
  • Biofilm-like structures are present in clinical cases of meningococcal disease.
  • Evidence suggests a connection between biofilm formation and disease states.

Conclusions:

  • Meningococcal biofilms may be significant in the pathogenesis of meningococcal meningitis.
  • Biofilm formation could influence both the asymptomatic carriage and active disease phases.
  • Further research into N. meningitidis biofilms is warranted.

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