Neisseria meningitidis strain N36_04

Neisseria meningitidis strain N36_04 is a Gram-negative bacterium characterized by its cocci shape and arrangement in pairs. This strain is an aerobe, indicating it requires oxygen for growth, and is classified as mesophilic, with an optimal growth temperature of 35°C. It possesses two membranes and has a single replicon, contributing to its cellular structure. N36_04 is non-motile, lacking flagella, which suggests that its movement is limited and may rely on external forces for dispersal in its environment. Despite its free-living biotic relationship, the primary habitat of this strain is host-associated, specifically within Homo sapiens, where it can cause significant health issues. This strain is associated with a range of severe health effects, including meningitis, sepsis, cellulitis, septicemia, severe sepsis, and invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). These conditions underscore the pathogenic potential of N36_04, particularly in the context of bacterial meningitis and acute bacterial meningitis (ABM). The ecological insight from these traits emphasizes the importance of understanding N. meningitidis in a clinical context, as its presence in human hosts is linked to serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. The ability of this strain to survive and thrive in human hosts while causing disease highlights the complex interactions between pathogenic bacteria and their hosts.