Neisseria meningitidis: Difference between revisions
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How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms. | How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms. | ||
There are approximately 12 strains of Neisseria meningiditis have been identified. Among these known strains, serogroups A, B, and C have been found to be those responsible for 90% of meningococcal meningitis cases. Specifically, serogroup A has been implicated in meningitis epidemics in developing countries, while serogroups B and C have been implicated in meningitis epidemics in already developed countries. | |||
There are approximately 12 strains of Neisseria meningiditis, which are grouped on the basis of their capsular polysaccharides, that have been identified. Among these known strains, serogroups A, B, and C have been found to be those responsible for 90% of meningococcal meningitis cases. Specifically, serogroup A has been implicated in meningitis epidemics in developing countries, while serogroups B and C have been implicated in meningitis epidemics in already developed countries. | |||
Neisseria meningitidis is only found in human hosts of which 5-15% of the population are carriers. Specifically, the bacterium can found in the nasopharyngeal tract, in its non-pathogenic form. Transformation from it's initial state to its pathogenic form arises when Neisseria meningitidis bacterium cross the mucosal barrier and enter the blood stream. Once in the blood stream they are free to travel to the cerebral spinal fluid or the meninges, tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord. Accordingly, this infection of the meninges results in bacterial meningitis, which mainly affects adults, and should not be confuserd with viral meningitis which affects babies and young children. | |||
==Application to Biotechnology== | ==Application to Biotechnology== | ||
Revision as of 21:14, 31 March 2008
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Classification
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Proteobacteria
Class: Beta Proteobacteria
Order: Neisseriales
Family: Neisseriaceae
Genus: Neisseria
Species: N. meningitidis
Binomial Name
Neisseria meningitis
Description and significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
There are approximately 12 strains of Neisseria meningiditis, which are grouped on the basis of their capsular polysaccharides, that have been identified. Among these known strains, serogroups A, B, and C have been found to be those responsible for 90% of meningococcal meningitis cases. Specifically, serogroup A has been implicated in meningitis epidemics in developing countries, while serogroups B and C have been implicated in meningitis epidemics in already developed countries.
Neisseria meningitidis is only found in human hosts of which 5-15% of the population are carriers. Specifically, the bacterium can found in the nasopharyngeal tract, in its non-pathogenic form. Transformation from it's initial state to its pathogenic form arises when Neisseria meningitidis bacterium cross the mucosal barrier and enter the blood stream. Once in the blood stream they are free to travel to the cerebral spinal fluid or the meninges, tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord. Accordingly, this infection of the meninges results in bacterial meningitis, which mainly affects adults, and should not be confuserd with viral meningitis which affects babies and young children.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neisseria_meningitidis http://www.brown.edu/Courses/Bio_160/Projects1999/bmenin/nmenin.html http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Projects/N_meningitidis