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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Visualisation and Quantification of Intracellular Interactions of Neisseria meningitidis and Human α-actinin by Confocal Imaging
Published on: October 24, 2010
Isolation and analysis of radiolabeled meningococcal endotoxin
P C Giardina1, J A Weiss, B W Gibson
1Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Abstract:
The Gram-negative pathogen Neisseria meningitidis, is one of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis worldwide (1). The host range for this organism is restricted to humans, where it colonizes the mucosal epithelium of the upper airway. It occasionally disseminates causing invasive disease (sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation [DIC], meningitis). Epidemic meningococcal meningitis is a major health problem, most notably in sub-Saharan Africa. In 1999, an outbreak of meningococcal disease spread across Guinea-Bissau, a region that is part of what is commonly called the African meningitis belt (2). There were 2,169 reported cases and 404 deaths resulting from meningococcal disease in this outbreak from Jan. 1 to April 5, 1999. Also in 1999, there were reported outbreaks in Sudan (22,000 cases and 1,600 deaths) Rwanda (29 cases and 11 deaths), Angola (253 cases and 147 deaths), Ethiopia (126 cases and 4 deaths) and Senegal (2,709 cases and 372 deaths) (2). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year approx 500,000 cases of meningitis and 50,000 deaths are attributable to N. meningitidis worldwide. In the United States, meningococcal disease is less common, although small outbreaks are reported each year (3).
Insights
Neisseria meningitidis causes bacterial meningitis worldwide, leading to significant outbreaks and deaths, particularly in Africa. This pathogen colonizes the human upper airway and can cause invasive diseases like sepsis and meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative pathogen responsible for bacterial meningitis globally.
- It primarily colonizes the human upper airway but can disseminate, causing severe invasive diseases such as sepsis and meningitis.
- Epidemic meningococcal meningitis poses a significant public health threat, especially in the African meningitis belt.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the global impact of Neisseria meningitidis, focusing on its role in bacterial meningitis.
- To document the scale of meningococcal disease outbreaks, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
- To provide statistics on Neisseria meningitidis-attributable meningitis cases and deaths worldwide.
Main Methods:
- Data compilation from reported outbreaks and World Health Organization (WHO) statistics.
- Analysis of case and death numbers from specific regions and timeframes.
- Review of Neisseria meningitidis epidemiology and disease manifestations.
Main Results:
- In 1999, outbreaks in Guinea-Bissau, Sudan, Rwanda, Angola, Ethiopia, and Senegal reported thousands of cases and hundreds to thousands of deaths.
- Globally, Neisseria meningitidis causes approximately 500,000 meningitis cases and 50,000 deaths annually.
- While less common in the United States, Neisseria meningitidis outbreaks still occur.
Conclusions:
- Neisseria meningitidis remains a major cause of bacterial meningitis and invasive disease worldwide.
- The African meningitis belt is particularly vulnerable to devastating meningococcal disease outbreaks.
- Continued surveillance and public health interventions are crucial to mitigate the impact of Neisseria meningitidis.
