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How Does Streptococcus pneumoniae Invade the Brain?

Federico Iovino1, Jolien Seinen2, Birgitta Henriques-Normark1

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, SE 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.

Trends in Microbiology
|January 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes bacterial meningitis by adhering to the blood-brain barrier. Understanding these bacterial adhesion mechanisms can lead to new treatments for pneumococcal meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis.
  • The precise mechanisms of pneumococcal invasion across the blood-brain barrier remain unclear.
  • Receptor-mediated adhesion to brain endothelium is a critical step in meningitis pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding S. pneumoniae interactions with the blood-brain barrier.
  • To discuss perspectives on preventing or treating pneumococcal meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on S. pneumoniae and blood-brain barrier interactions.
  • Analysis of receptor-mediated adhesion mechanisms.
  • Exploration of potential therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

  • S. pneumoniae utilizes specific receptor-ligand interactions to adhere to the blood-brain barrier endothelium.
  • These interactions are crucial for bacterial translocation into the central nervous system.
  • Identifying these pathways offers opportunities for therapeutic intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting S. pneumoniae adhesion mechanisms at the blood-brain barrier is a promising strategy.
  • Further research into specific pathways and ligands can guide the development of novel meningitis treatments.
  • Interfering with bacterial adhesion may prevent or cure pneumococcal meningitis.
Keywords:
Streptococcus pneumoniaeblood–brain barrierinvasionmeningitisreceptors

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