Update on Microbiological and Epidemiological characterstics of Neisseria meningitidis

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis (Meningococcus) is a gram-negative diplococcus, bean shaped, non-motile, non-spore forming, and oxidase positive bacteria. Like other gram-negative bacteria, meningococcus is surrounded by outer membrane lipids, outer membrane proteins (OMPs), and endotoxic lipopoly-saccharides (LPS). Moreover, pathogenic meningococci are enveloped by a polysac-charide capsule attached to the outer membrane. Meningococci can grow on most non-selective routine laboratory media such as blood and chocolate agar in microaerophilic condition (5% O2 and 10% CO 2). This microaerophilic condition can be achieved by using either candle jar or gas generating kits. For rapid diagnosis and in cases in which cultures are negative because of previous antimicrobial therapy, meningococcal capsular poly-saccharide antigen can be detected in CSF, blood, and urine by latex agglutination procedures.