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[The plasmid profile of Neisseria meningitidis strains]

K G Khetsuriani, M Z Namgaladze, Kh V Lomsadze

    Zhurnal Mikrobiologii, Epidemiologii I Immunobiologii
    |March 1, 1993
    PubMed

    Insights

    Plasmids are common in Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) across all serological groups. Over half of strains from healthy carriers and nearly half from patients harbor these plasmids, with sizes ranging widely.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) is a significant human pathogen.
    • Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements that can influence bacterial traits.
    • Understanding plasmid distribution is crucial for N. meningitidis research.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of plasmids in N. meningitidis strains.
    • To analyze plasmid distribution based on strain origin and serological groups.
    • To determine the molecular weight range of N. meningitidis plasmids.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation and characterization of N. meningitidis strains.
    • Plasmid DNA detection and analysis.
    • Molecular weight determination of plasmids.

    Main Results:

    • Plasmids were detected in N. meningitidis strains from all serological groups studied.
    • Plasmid-carrying strains comprised 55% of isolates from healthy carriers.
    • Plasmid-carrying strains accounted for 46.2% of isolates from patients.
    • The molecular weight of N. meningitidis plasmids ranged from 2.9 MD to 95 MD.

    Conclusions:

    • Plasmids are widely distributed among N. meningitidis strains, irrespective of serological group.
    • The presence of plasmids is common in both carriage and pathogenic N. meningitidis isolates.
    • N. meningitidis plasmids exhibit significant variability in molecular weight.

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