Biomaterial Database

Neisseria meningitidis. 1985

D S Stephens

N. meningitidis continues to be a worldwide cause of human disease, usually in otherwise healthy individuals. The natural habitat and reservoir for meningococci are the mucosal surfaces of the human nasopharynx and to a lesser extent, the urogenital tract and anal canal. In most instances meningococcal colonization of mucosal surfaces is asymptomatic but may produce local infection. In those individuals who lack serum bactericidal activity against the meningococcus, colonization of mucosal surfaces and bloodstream invasion by N. meningitidis can lead to devastating meningitis and septicemia. Recent studies on the ultrastructure of the meningococcus and on the mechanisms of pathogenesis have given us new insight into meningococcal infections and suggest ways for improved immunoprophylaxis. Currently, penicillin is the drug of choice for the treatment of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. However, the report of meningococci with antibiotic resistant plasmids is alarming and in the future may alter traditional treatment regimens.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008585	Meningitis, Meningococcal	A fulminant infection of the meninges and subarachnoid fluid by the bacterium NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS, producing diffuse inflammation and peri-meningeal venous thromboses. Clinical manifestations include FEVER, nuchal rigidity, SEIZURES, severe HEADACHE, petechial rash, stupor, focal neurologic deficits, HYDROCEPHALUS, and COMA. The organism is usually transmitted via nasopharyngeal secretions and is a leading cause of meningitis in children and young adults. Organisms from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135 have been reported to cause meningitis. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp689-701; Curr Opin Pediatr 1998 Feb;10(1):13-8)	Meningitis, Neisseria,Neisseria Meningitis,Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup A,Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup B,Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup C,Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup W-135,Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup W135,Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup Y,Meningitis, Meningococcic,Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup A,Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup B,Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup C,Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W-135,Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W135,Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup Y,Serogroup A Meningococcal Meningitis,Serogroup B Meningococcal Meningitis,Serogroup C Meningococcal Meningitis,Serogroup W-135, Meningococcal Meningitis,Serogroup W135, Meningococcal Meningitis,Serogroup Y, Meningococcal Meningitis,Meningococcal Meningitis,Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W 135,Neisseria Meningitides,Serogroup W 135, Meningococcal Meningitis
D009345	Neisseria meningitidis	A species of gram-negative, aerobic BACTERIA. It is a commensal and pathogen only of humans, and can be carried asymptomatically in the NASOPHARYNX. When found in cerebrospinal fluid it is the causative agent of cerebrospinal meningitis (MENINGITIS, MENINGOCOCCAL). It is also found in venereal discharges and blood. There are at least 13 serogroups based on antigenic differences in the capsular polysaccharides; the ones causing most meningitis infections being A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Each serogroup can be further classified by serotype, serosubtype, and immunotype.	Diplokokkus intracellularis meningitidis,Meningococcus,Micrococcus intracellularis,Micrococcus meningitidis,Micrococcus meningitidis cerebrospinalis,Neisseria weichselbaumii
D010406	Penicillins	A group of antibiotics that contain 6-aminopenicillanic acid with a side chain attached to the 6-amino group. The penicillin nucleus is the chief structural requirement for biological activity. The side-chain structure determines many of the antibacterial and pharmacological characteristics. (Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed, p1065)	Antibiotics, Penicillin,Penicillin,Penicillin Antibiotics
D002511	Cephalosporins	A group of broad-spectrum antibiotics first isolated from the Mediterranean fungus ACREMONIUM. They contain the beta-lactam moiety thia-azabicyclo-octenecarboxylic acid also called 7-aminocephalosporanic acid.	Antibiotics, Cephalosporin,Cephalosporanic Acid,Cephalosporin,Cephalosporin Antibiotic,Cephalosporanic Acids,Acid, Cephalosporanic,Acids, Cephalosporanic,Antibiotic, Cephalosporin,Cephalosporin Antibiotics
D002701	Chloramphenicol	An antibiotic first isolated from cultures of Streptomyces venequelae in 1947 but now produced synthetically. It has a relatively simple structure and was the first broad-spectrum antibiotic to be discovered. It acts by interfering with bacterial protein synthesis and is mainly bacteriostatic. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 29th ed, p106)	Cloranfenicol,Kloramfenikol,Levomycetin,Amphenicol,Amphenicols,Chlornitromycin,Chlorocid,Chloromycetin,Detreomycin,Ophthochlor,Syntomycin
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012293	Rifampin	A semisynthetic antibiotic produced from Streptomyces mediterranei. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum, including activity against several forms of Mycobacterium. In susceptible organisms it inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity by forming a stable complex with the enzyme. It thus suppresses the initiation of RNA synthesis. Rifampin is bactericidal, and acts on both intracellular and extracellular organisms. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p1160)	Rifampicin,Benemycin,Rifadin,Rimactan,Rimactane,Tubocin
D012703	Serotyping	Process of determining and distinguishing species of bacteria or viruses based on antigens they share.	Serotypings