Metabolism in Neisseria meningitidis
Introduction
By Molly Folks
Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) is Gram-negative bacterium that is a member of the class, Betaproteobacteria. Neisseria are aerobic heterotrophic cocci, and the cocci of Neisseria genus form diplococci, distinctive pairs of cocci [1]. Most members of the Neisseria genus are commensal organisms that colonize the nasal and oral mucosa of animals. There are 11 species of Neisseria that colonize humans and only 2 are pathogens, Neiserria meningitidis and Neiserria gonorrhoeae.
N. meningitidis was first discovered in 1887 by Anton Weichselbaum after analyzing the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a patient who was infected with meningitis [2]. There are at least 12 known serotypes of N.meningitidis based on the unique capsular polysaccharides seen on the cell surface [2]. Serotypes are groups that are found within a single microorganism, such as viruses and bacteria, that share differentiating surface structures [3]. Serotypes A, B, C, W, X, and Y are the serotypes that cause most of the meningococcal infections [2]. Each of these common serotypes can be linked to various regions around the globe. The main serotypes causing meningococcal disease in Africa are serotypes A and C [2]. Serotypes B and C are the main serotypes seen in Europe and the Americas [2]. Serotype Y is what generally causes infection in the United States and Canada [2]. Epidemic outbreaks around the world is linked to serotype W [2].
N. meningitidis is one of the common and important causes of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in the United States [2]. Children and adults can be infected by this bacterium. The infection has a high mortality rate if not recognized and treated immediately following the diagnosis. N. meningitidis can lead to other infections as well such as; meningococcal septicemia, pneumonia, septic arthritis, pericarditis, and urethritis [2]. This bacterium can cause both endemic and epidemic infections, also having the ability to infect young, healthy adults [2].
At right is a sample image insertion. It works for any image uploaded anywhere to MicrobeWiki.
The insertion code consists of:
Double brackets: [[
Filename: PHIL_1181_lores.jpg
Thumbnail status: |thumb|
Pixel size: |300px|
Placement on page: |right|
Legend/credit: Electron micrograph of the Ebola Zaire virus. This was the first photo ever taken of the virus, on 10/13/1976. By Dr. F.A. Murphy, now at U.C. Davis, then at the CDC. Every image requires a link to the source.
Closed double brackets: ]]
Other examples:
Bold
Italic
Subscript: H2O
Superscript: Fe3+
Introduce the topic of your paper. What is your research question? What experiments have addressed your question? Applications for medicine and/or environment?
Sample citations: [4]
[5]
A citation code consists of a hyperlinked reference within "ref" begin and end codes.
To repeat the citation for other statements, the reference needs to have a names: "<ref name=aa>"
The repeated citation works like this, with a back slash.[4]
Invasive Behavior
Include some current research, with at least one figure showing data.
Every point of information REQUIRES CITATION using the citation tool shown above.
Signs and Symptoms
Include some current research, with at least one figure showing data.
Treatment and Prevention
Include some current research, with at least one figure showing data.
Metabolism and Virulence
Conclusion
References
- ↑ Slonczewski, J., and Foster J. W.. Microbiology: An Evolving Science. New York
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 [Nguyen N, Ashong D. Neisseria Meningitidis. [Updated 2020 Mar 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549849/ ]
- ↑ Serotypes and the Importnace of Serotyping Salmonella, CDC, Accessed April 20th, 2020
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hodgkin, J. and Partridge, F.A. "Caenorhabditis elegans meets microsporidia: the nematode killers from Paris." 2008. PLoS Biology 6:2634-2637.
- ↑ Bartlett et al.: Oncolytic viruses as therapeutic cancer vaccines. Molecular Cancer 2013 12:103.
Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski, 2018, Kenyon College.
