from Paola Mastrantonio (Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, Italy) writing in Society for Microbial Ecology and Disease read more ...

"This book represents a comprehensive update on the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis both in Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The understanding of the gene expression strategies of pathogenic Neisseria is still limited but the recently published genome sequences of both the above mentioned species will provide invaluable insights into the basis of pathogenesis as well as on the study of new therapeutic interventions and preventive tools. Mechanisms of adhesion, cellular invasion, interference with the apoptotic cellular machinery and of antibiotic resistance are illustrated such as the role of the innate and acquired immunity in Neisseria infections. A comprehensive chapter is dedicated to the epidemiology of the diseases caused by the two species. Further, the most recent approaches for a future prevention these diseases by a universal neisserial vaccine are commented."

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• Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis
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• Bacteriology publications

Labels: book review, Book Reviews, Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis

A number of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, have evolved mechanisms to subvert apoptosis by either positively or negatively modulating host defenses. In particular, the inhibition of the apoptotic process by microbial pathogens has previously demonstrated importance in securing intracellular niches, which may be an important mechanism for microbial survival, replication or immune evasion.

Similarly, the induction of apoptosis may be beneficial to pathogens by promoting escape from host cells or diminishing their effector functions, again promoting immune evasion.

Conflicting studies have reported that infection with the facultative intracellular pathogens Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis can either inhibit or induce apoptosis. Reports on Neisserial influence on the apoptotic response of host cells have been published consistently for almost ten years and will be the focus of this chapter.

Overall, it seems that Neisseria species more often inhibit apoptosis, and this inhibition may allow time for adaptation to a new environment, intracellular replication, or immune evasion presumably leading to the spread of infection read more ...

from Sarah A. Follows and Paola Massari in Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

Labels: Apoptosis, Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis have evolved intricate mechanisms to evade killing by the complement system. Binding of complement inhibitors, LOS sialylation and expression of capsular polysaccharide in the case of N. meningitidis all play key roles in enabling these bacteria to evade complement.

The multiplicity of complement evasion strategies reflects the importance of overcoming this immune barrier. Neisserial resistance to complement mediated killing appears to be restricted to humans and may provide an explanation for the host specificity of neisserial disease. Recent advances in our understanding of neisserial complement evasion strategies should aid in developing better animal models and vaccine design   read more ...

from Lisa A. Lewis, E. Burrowes, Peter A Rice and Sanjay Ram in Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

Labels: Complement, Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an exclusive human pathogen. Recent studies have demonstrated that it utilizes two distinct mechanisms for entry into human urethral and cervical epithelial cells involving different bacterial surface ligands and host receptors. These studies have demonstrated that the gonococcus can form biofilms on glass surfaces and over human cells. There is evidence for the formation of gonococcal biofilms on human cervical epithelial cells during natural disease and further evidence that outer membrane blebbing by the gonococcus is crucial in biofilm formation over human cervical epithelial cells read more ...

from Michael Apicella, Megan L. Falsetta, Ryan Neil and Christopher Steichen in Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

Labels: Gonococcal, Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The genus Neisseria consists of commensal species that colonize the mucosal surfaces of many animals. Of the eleven species that colonize humans, only two are pathogens. Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae often cause asymptomatic infections, a commensal-like behavior. Most gonoccocal infections are asymptomatic and self-resolving, and epidemic strains of the meningococcus may be carried in more than 95% of a population where systemic disease occurs at less than 1% prevalence. Bacteria of the Neisseria genus are Gram-negative and are included among the proteobacteria, a large group of Gram-negative organisms. The microorganisms exist as diplococci.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis are Gram-negative diplococci. N. gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhoea and is transmitted via sexual contact. N. meningitidis is transmitted via respiratory droplets leading to colonization of the nasopharynx and can cause meningitis and septicemia.

1. Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis
2. Microbiology books

Labels: brief notes, diplococci, gonococcus, gonorrhoea, gonorrhoeae, meningitidis, meningococcal, meningococcus, Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis are Gram-negative diplococci. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of gonorrhoeae and is transmitted via sexual contact. Neisseria meningitidis is transmitted via respiratory droplets leading to colonization of the nasopharynx and can cause meningitis and septicemia. Diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, are a significant health problem worldwide.

Analyses of the available genome sequences of Neisseria species and strains have considerably increased our knowledge of the pathogenesis of this genus.

Further reading: Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

Labels: gonorrhoeae, Gram-negative diplococci, meningitis, Neisseria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, septicemia