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Back to Bacteria Index
Neisseria Meningitides
Morphology
Gram negative cocci arranged in pairs with the adjacent sides
flattened (kidney shaped).
Cultural characteristics
They require blood for growth as in chocolate agar or Thayer-Martin
medium.
Pathogenesis
Capsular polysaccharides
They have the following properties
- Antiphagocytic properties
- Defines serologic groups
- Detected in cerebrospinal fluid
- Induces protective immunity when used in the vaccine.
The most important groups associated with disease in man are A, B, C,
Y, W-135.
Pili
Are important virulence in that they mediate attachment to mucosal
cells and are antiphagocytic.
Lipopolysaccharides
They are responsible for the endotoxic effects occurring in
meningococcal infections.
Proteins
May help in the attachment to host cells.
Ig A protease
Hydrolyzes secretary IgA which could otherwise block their attachment
to the mucosa.
Diseases caused meningococcus
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