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

Sarah Hollingshead1, Christoph M Tang2

  • 1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. sarah.hollingshead@path.ox.ac.uk.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|March 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis and septicemia. Understanding its virulence factors and developing new vaccines through molecular investigation are crucial for disease prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a common nasopharyngeal bacterium.
  • It can cause severe invasive diseases like meningitis and septicemia in vulnerable populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of diseases caused by N. meningitidis.
  • To review typing schemes, virulence factors, and colonization mechanisms.
  • To discuss the history and current status of meningococcal vaccines.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of N. meningitidis epidemiology and pathogenesis.
  • Analysis of virulence factors, adhesions, and phase variable genes.
  • Examination of historical and current meningococcal vaccine development.

Main Results:

  • N. meningitidis possesses specific adhesions and virulence factors for host colonization.
  • Phase variable genes play a role in its adaptation and survival.
  • Existing vaccines target specific serogroups, necessitating ongoing development.

Conclusions:

  • Continued molecular investigation of N. meningitidis epidemiology is vital.
  • Structural analysis of meningococcal antigens is key for future vaccine design.
  • Enhanced understanding will improve prevention and control strategies for meningococcal diseases.
Keywords:
AdhesionMeningococcusPhase variationTypingVaccines

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