Document Detail


Meningococcal disease and future drug targets.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20874698     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) causes sepsis, epidemic meningitis, and sometimes also meningoencephalitis. Despite early antibiotic treatment, mortality and morbidity remain significant. We present recent studies on meningococcal disease with focus on the pathophysiology caused by bacterial virulence factors and the host immune responses. The bacterial outer membrane lipopolysaccharide and non-lipopolysaccharide components are related to meningococcal adhesion and invasion, while the host immune reactions propagate inflammation and neurodegeneration. Hence, bacterium-host interactions are key determinants of the clinical course and risk of fatal outcome. Accordingly, successful treatment of severe meningococcal disease requires not only antibiotics but also adjuvants targeting the released endotoxins and the host immune/inflammatory responses. This review highlights the most recent data and current knowledge on molecular mechanisms of meningococcal disease and explains how host immune responses ultimately may aggravate neuropathology and the clinical prognosis. Within this context, particular importance is paid to the endotoxic components that provide potential drug targets for novel neuroprotective adjuvants, which are needed in order to improve the clinical management of meningoencephalitis and patient prognosis.
Authors:
L K Gammelgaard; H Colding; S H Hartzen; M Penkowa
Related Documents :
20974828 - Lipoproteins of bacterial pathogens.
11402018 - Francisella tularensis induces cytopathogenicity and apoptosis in murine macrophages vi...
17176758 - Inhibition of mammalian cathepsins by plesiomonas shigelloides.
19203648 - Diversity in bacterial chemotactic responses and niche adaptation.
2070198 - Characterisation of inflammatory cells associated with "idiopathic retroperitoneal fibr...
1372488 - Biological activities and potential therapeutic uses of steel factor. a new growth fact...
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  CNS & neurological disorders drug targets     Volume:  10     ISSN:  1996-3181     ISO Abbreviation:  CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets     Publication Date:  2011 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-01-25     Completed Date:  2011-07-29     Revised Date:  2012-04-09    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101269155     Medline TA:  CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets     Country:  United Arab Emirates    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  140-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Section of Neuroprotection, Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 18.1.44, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Meningitis, Meningococcal / drug therapy,  immunology,  microbiology,  pathology
Meningococcal Infections* / drug therapy,  immunology,  microbiology,  pathology
Meningoencephalitis / drug therapy,  immunology,  microbiology,  pathology
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Neisseria meningitidis* / drug effects,  immunology,  pathogenicity
Virulence Factors / toxicity
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Bacterial Agents; 0/Virulence Factors

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Non-cholinergic pharmacotherapy approaches to Alzheimer's disease: the use of non-steroidal anti-inf...
Next Document:  Are anti-angiogenic drugs useful in neurodegenerative disorders?