Neisseria meningitidis as a Urogenital Pathogen

Neisseria meningitidis is a well-known cause of invasive infections such as meningitis and sepsis. Its cousin, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is a notorious and frequent cause of urogenital infection. Now, an investigation of the genotypic properties of N. meningitidis from an ongoing outbreak of urethritis occurring primarily in heterosexual men in Columbus, Ohio, and other U.S. cities reveals that the meningococcus may be taking a page out of gonococcus's book.

Investigators performed whole genome sequencing and biological characterization of 56 N. meningitidis urethritis isolates. The isolates had an insertion, IS1301, associated with loss of the bacterium's sialic acid capsule; this change may promote adherence of the pathogen to mucosal surface…