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An Overview of Neisseria meningitidis

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Neisseria meningitidis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1969))

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) is a member of the normal nasopharyngeal microbiome in healthy individuals, but can cause septicemia and meningitis in susceptible individuals. In this chapter we provide an overview of the disease caused by N. meningitidis and the schemes used to type the meningococcus. We also review the adhesions, virulence factors, and phase variable genes that enable it to successfully colonize the human host. Finally, we outline the history and current status of meningococcal vaccines and highlight the importance of continued molecular investigation of the epidemiology and the structural analysis of the antigens of this pathogen to aid future vaccine development.

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  1. Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    Sarah Hollingshead & Christoph M. Tang

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  1. Sarah Hollingshead
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  2. Christoph M. Tang
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Correspondence to Sarah Hollingshead .

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  1. Institute For Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia

    Kate L. Seib

  2. Institute For Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia

    Ian R. Peak

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Hollingshead, S., Tang, C.M. (2019). An Overview of Neisseria meningitidis. In: Seib, K., Peak, I. (eds) Neisseria meningitidis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1969. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9202-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-9202-7_1

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