Meningitis bacteria, illustration - stock illustration

Meningitis bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis), computer illustration. N. meningitidis are gram-negative diplococci (spherical bacteria arranged in pairs), transmitted by the respiratory route. In most people they cause either asymptomatic infections or non-severe nasopharyngitis, but can also cause severe meningitis and generalised infection (meningococcaemia), particularly in children. The surface of bacteria are covered with pilli which play a role in the attachment of bacteria to cells and surfaces.