Neisseria meningitidis

Sometimes referred as meningococcus: gram-negative, oxidase postive diplococcus.

Meningococcal virulence factors: - Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) : component of the outer membrane of N. meningitidis which acts as an endotoxin which is responsible for septic shock and hemorrhage due to the destruction of red blood cells. It also suppress leukotriene B4 synthesis in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes which deprives the leukocytes of a strong chemokinetic and chemotactic factor. - Capsular polysaccharide (CPS): contains antiphagocytic properties that enhances its survival in the bloodstream or in the (CNS). Capsule enables the meningococcus to evade complement-mediated and phagocytic killing. - Fimbrae: mediate attachment of the bacterium to the epithelial cells of the nasopharynx. The signaling induced following Type IV pilus-mediated adhesion is responsible for the formation of microvilli-like structures at the site of the bacterial-cell interaction. These microvilli trigger the internalization of the bacteria into host cells.

The ability to cause invasive disease depends on: environmental factors, meningococcal virulence factors and lack of a protective immune response..

Events in acquisition and carriage of N. meningitidis :attachment , microcolony formation and colonisation at nasopharyngeal mucosal surfaces.

Meningococci can be aquired through very close contact with contaminated respiratory droplets or secretions. They attach to nonciliated columnar epithelial cells of the nasopharynx. (Human are the only known reservoir. ) Acquisition can be transient, lead to colonisation or result in invasive disease such as sepsis or meningitis.