Meningococcal disease describes infections caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (also termed meningococcus). It carries a high mortality rate if untreated. Whilst best known as a cause of meningitis, wide spread blood infection (sepsis) is more damaging and dangerous. Meningitis and Meningococcal septicemia are major causes of illness, death and disability in both developed and under developed countries worldwide.
The disease's host/pat...
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Meningococcal disease describes infections caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (also termed meningococcus). It carries a high mortality rate if untreated. Whilst best known as a cause of meningitis, wide spread blood infection (sepsis) is more damaging and dangerous. Meningitis and Meningococcal septicemia are major causes of illness, death and disability in both developed and under developed countries worldwide.
The disease's host/pathogen interaction is not fully understood. The pathogen originates harmlessly in a large number of the general population, but thereafter can invade the blood stream and the brain, causing serious illness. Over the past few years, experts have made an intensive effort to understand specific aspects of meningococcal biology and host interactions, however the development of improved treatments and effective vaccines will depend on novel efforts by workers in many different fields.
The incidence of endemic meningococcal disease during the last 13...
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