Investigating the scientific basis for increased susceptibility to meningococcal disease after viral and other illnesses

Research archive

We know that some viral infections may make people more vulnerable to meningococcal disease, because increases in meningococcal disease tend to follow outbreaks such as influenza.

This study will investigate how viral infections alter the surfaces of human cells so that meningococcal bacteria can stick to them and invade them more easily. It may also show how the bacteria themselves change when they attack cells from humans weakened by viral illness: for example, by producing certain proteins which may be suitable as vaccine candidates.

This work has the potential for identifying new strategies for treatment of the illness and may also yield valuable information for vaccine development.

Results from this study have been published in scientific journals as follows:

Hill DJ, Edwards AM, Rowe HA, Virji M.
Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM)-binding recombinant polypeptide confers protection against infection by respiratory and urogenital pathogens.
Mol Microbiol 2005 Mar;55(5):1515-27.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04487.x

Bradley CJ, Griffiths NJ, Rowe HA, Heyderman RS, Virji M,
Critical determinants of the interactions of capsule-expressing Neisseria meningitidis with host cells: the role of receptor density in increased cellular targeting via the outer membrane Opa proteins.
Cell Microbiol 2005 Oct;7(10):1490-503.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1462-5822.2005.00572.x