Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

7.9K

Neisseria meningitidis infection: who, when and where?

Elena Gianchecchi1, Alessandro Torelli1, Giulia Piccini1

  • 1a 1 VisMederi Srl, via Fiorentina 1, Siena 53100, Italy.

Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|July 21, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis causes endemic infections globally, with carriage being asymptomatic but potentially leading to fatal meningitis. Continuous surveillance is crucial to monitor evolving epidemiology and hypervirulent clones.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterium causing endemic worldwide infections.
  • Meningococcal disease incidence varies significantly, with asymptomatic carriage potentially leading to severe outcomes like CNS infections and death.
  • Host genetic factors, including single nucleotide polymorphisms, influence individual susceptibility to meningococcal disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the epidemiology and clinical impact of Neisseria meningitidis infections.
  • To highlight the role of host genetics in disease predisposition.
  • To emphasize the need for ongoing surveillance of meningococcal epidemiology and emerging clones.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and epidemiological data analysis.
  • Examination of host genetic factors influencing disease susceptibility.
  • Analysis of Neisseria meningitidis carriage and virulence.

Main Results:

  • Neisseria meningitidis epidemiology and serogroup distribution are dynamic.
  • Host genetic factors play a role in individual predisposition to meningococcal disease.
  • While European incidence has decreased, vigilance is needed against new hypervirulent clones.

Conclusions:

  • Neisseria meningitidis remains a significant global health concern requiring continuous monitoring.
  • Understanding host-pathogen interactions and genetic predispositions is key to managing meningococcal disease.
  • Proactive surveillance is essential to prevent outbreaks and adapt to changing epidemiological patterns.
Keywords:
Neisseria meningitidisepidemiologyhypervirulent clonal complexesinvasive meningococcal diseasesingle nucleotide polymorphisms

More Related Videos

Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells10:12

Neisseria meningitidis Infection of Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived Brain Endothelial Cells

Published on: July 14, 2020

2.8K
Humanized Mouse Model to Study Bacterial Infections Targeting the Microvasculature11:40

Humanized Mouse Model to Study Bacterial Infections Targeting the Microvasculature

Published on: April 1, 2014

15.5K

Related Concept Videos

Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
115
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
30
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
49
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
1.3K
Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes01:30

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...
1.3K
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
14.4K