MMI133 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Meningococcal Disease, Diplococcus, Phagocytosis

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Medical Microbiology and Immunology
• Course: MMI133
• Professor: Judy Gnarpe

Document Summary

Prion- an infectious protein that"s been folded incorrectly in the genetic material. Meningitis- an inflammation of the meninges (coverings of the brain and spinal cord; protects and encloses) Usually caused by microorganisms" infecting the cerebral spinal fluid. *neisseria meningitidis- 1 of the microbial causes of meningitis. >12 serotypes (subspecies) based on capsule (sugar-coating cushion the bacteria to avoid being engulfed) carbohydrate. Only 4 subtypes called serotypes are responsible for most of the epidemics in the world (a, b, c, w-135) Only affects humans no animal reservoir, transferred only human human. *pathogenicity- droplet transmissions (cough, sneezes, saliva) (1m range radius) Contains endotoxin in the cell wall -> inflammation (los- lipo- oligopolysaccharide) Endotoxin activates blood-clotting, leads to dic (disseminated intravascular coagulation), hemorrhage (petichiae, purpura- blotches; purple bruise-like) and shock. Evades phagocytosis by wbc (due to presence of capsule) **this bacterium is sometimes called meningococcus (pl. meningococci) aka. Type iv pill allows bacteria to form micro-colonies and penetrate through the blood-brain barrier.