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Despite advances against infectious diseases over the past century, Neisseria meningitidis remains a major causative agent of meningitis and septicaemia worldwide. Its adaptation for survival in the human nasopharynx makes the meningococcus a highly successful commensal bacterium. Recent progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms that enable neisserial colonisation, in terms of the role of type IV pili, the impact of other adhesins, biofilm formation, nutrient acquisition and resistance to host immune defences. Refinements in cell-based and in vivo models will lead to improved understanding of the colonisation process, and hopefully to more effective vaccines and therapeutic strategies.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.tim.2011.06.006

Type

Journal article

Journal

Trends Microbiol

Publication Date

09/2011

Volume

19

Pages

456 - 463

Keywords

Animals, Bacterial Proteins, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Humans, Meningitis, Meningococcal, Nasopharynx, Neisseria meningitidis