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Neisseria meningitidis accumulate in large organs during meningococcal sepsis

Berit Sletbakk Brusletto1, Bernt Christian Hellerud2, Reidun Øvstebø1

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|December 13, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Neisseria meningitidis DNA (Nm DNA) are highest in organs, not circulation, during meningococcal septic shock. This study demonstrates LPS quantification in mammalian tissues using the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate assay.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogenesis
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) causes epidemic meningitis and severe septicemia.
  • Meningococcal septic shock severity correlates with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Nm DNA levels.
  • Previous studies explored Nm DNA distribution in tissues and animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility of measuring LPS in tissues from patients and a porcine model of meningococcal septic shock.
  • To evaluate non-specific LPS contamination during tissue sample preparation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of plasma, serum, and fresh frozen (FF) tissue samples from patients with meningococcal or pneumococcal disease.
  • Utilized a porcine meningococcal septic shock model.
  • Quantified LPS using the Pyrochrome® Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay after tissue homogenization.

Main Results:

  • LPS and Nm DNA were detected in FF tissues from all meningococcal septic shock patients, with highest concentrations in lungs and heart.
  • Nm DNA was absent in plasma and tissues of pneumococcal disease patients.
  • LPS was present at low levels in pneumococcal disease tissues; porcine model mirrored human findings with peak LPS/Nm DNA in lungs.

Conclusions:

  • LPS can be reliably quantified in mammalian tissues using the LAL assay.
  • Highest concentrations of Nm DNA and LPS are found in organs, not circulation, during lethal meningococcal septic shock.
Keywords:
LAL-assayLPS (lipopolysaccharide)LPS in tissue samplesNeisseria meningitidismeningococcal DNAmeningococcal septic shockmultiple organ failure - MOFporcine shock model

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