Neisseria meningitidis causing meningococcal meningitis
Introduction
Neisseria meningitidis, gram-negative diplococci that cause meningococcal meningitis (magnified x 33000) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2197533/As-pretty-picture-lot-deadly--Killer-diseases-youve-seen-before.html).
By Kelsey McMurtry
Neisseria meningitidis is a gram-negative diplococci of the Proteobacteria phylum (7). This bacterium specifically causes disease in humans (1), and is one of the three main bacteria that causes acute bacterial meningitis, along with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Of the forms of acute bacterial meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis causes meningococcal meningitis, which is among the top 10 causes of death due to infection across the globe, where one-third to half of people who survive the infection deal with permanent physical or mental side effects of the disease (2). These side effects, also known as sequelae, can include chronic fatigue and insomnia, which were symptoms found in those who survived epidemic meningococcal meningitis (2). In fact, these symptoms closely reflected those of individuals who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder following survival of septicaemia and septic shock (2). These two conditions involve the bacterium infiltrating the bloodstream, which is normally a sterile environment.
What is bacterial meningitis?
According to A. Chaudhuri, bacterial meningitis is defined as the "leptomeningeal inflammation resulting from infection of the pia" (2). This means that the layers that surround the central nervous system- the meninges- are inflamed. The meninges are composed of the of pia, the arachnoid, and the subarachnoid space (see figure). Many cases of meningitis involve the spread of bacteria from an infection in a completely different part of the body by traveling through the bloodstream to the brain and spinal cord. However, bacteria have been also known to spread throughout the body from a significant blow to the head, or from an infection initially located in the ear, nose, or teeth. Unfortunately, as the disease persists, the brain begins to swell and promotes the possibility of bleeding.
Section 2
Neisseria meningitidis has the greatest outbreak potential of the three bacteria causing acute bacterial meningitis, and regularly causes outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa.
Section 3
Include some current research in each topic, with at least one figure showing data.
Conclusion
Overall paper length should be 3,000 words, with at least 3 figures.
References
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(9) Bertrand, Sophie, Francoise Carion, Rene Wintjens, Vanessa Mathys, and Raymond Vanhoof. "American Society for MicrobiologyAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy." Evolutionary Changes in Antimicrobial Resistance of Invasive Neisseria Meningitidis Isolates in Belgium from 2000 to 2010: Increasing Prevalence of Penicillin Nonsusceptibility. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://aac.asm.org/content/56/5/2268.full.pdf html>.
(2) Chaudhuri, A. "Adjunctive Dexamethasone Treatment in Acute Bacterial Meningitis." The Lancet Neurology 3.1 (2004): 54-62. Print.
(11) Feavers, Ian M., and Mariagrazia Pizza. "Meningococcal Protein Antigens and Vaccines." Elsevier (2009): B42-50. ScienceDirect. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. <www.elsevier.com/locate/vaccine>.
(3) Johnson, Steven, Lionel Tan, Stijn Van Der Veen, Joseph Caesar, Elena Goicoechea De Jorge, Rachel J. Harding, Xilian Bai, Rachel M. Exley, Philip N. Ward, Nicola Ruivo, Kaushali Trivedi, Elspeth Cumber, Rhian Jones, Luke Newham, David Staunton, Rafael Ufret-Vicenty, Ray Borrow, Matthew C. Pickering, Susan M. Lea, and Christoph M. Tang. "Design and Evaluation of Meningococcal Vaccines through Structure-Based Modification of Host and Pathogen Molecules." PLOS Pathogens 8.10 (2012): 1-13. PLOS. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <www.plospathogens.org>.
(1) McIntyre, Peter B., Katherine L. O'Brien, Brian Greenwood, and Diederik Van De Beek. "Effect of Vaccines on Bacterial Meningitis Worldwide." The Lancet 380 (2012): 1703-711. Print.
(7)"Neisseria Meningitidis." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neisseria_meningitidis>.
(10) Peterson, D. C., G. Arakere, J. Vionnet, P. C. McCarthy, and W. F. Vann. "Characterization and Acceptor Preference of a Soluble Meningococcal Group C Polysialyltransferase." Journal of Bacteriology 193.7 (2011): 1576-582. Print.
(4) "Progress and Challenges in Bacterial Meningitis." The Lancet 380 (2012): 1623-624. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. <www.thelancet.com>.
(8) Van De Beek, Diederik, Matthijs C. Brouwer, Guy E. Thwaites, and Allan R. Tunkel. "Advances in Treatment of Bacterial Meningitis." The Lancet 380 (2012): 1693-702. 10 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2013.
(5) "What Are the Facts About Meningitis?" Meningitis Symptoms. Web. 13 Apr. 2013. <http://www.chacha.com/gallery/4869/what-are-the-facts-about-meningitis/46227>.
Edited by student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 238 Microbiology, 2009, Kenyon College.
