Neisserial Meaning: Definition and Examples

Science

• Neisserial bacteria are gram-negative, meaning they do not retain the crystal violet stain used in bacterial classification, often appearing pink under a microscope.
• Structurally, these bacteria are typically oval-shaped (cocci) and tend to group together in pairs.
• This group of bacteria can be part of normal human flora in the throat but can also lead to serious infections when they enter the bloodstream.

Health

• Neisseria meningitidis, one type of neisserial bacteria, is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis, especially in young children and teenagers.
• Vaccines are available to protect against some strains of neisserial bacteria, significantly reducing the incidence of infections.
• Early treatment with antibiotics is crucial to combat infections caused by these bacteria, especially in meningitis cases.

Pop Culture

• While not mainstream, 'Neisseria' has appeared in medical dramas, often portrayed through realistic infections in emergency room settings.
• Fictional representations of outbreaks caused by neisserial bacteria often emphasize the urgency of public health responses.

Literature

• Many scientific articles detail the impact of neisserial infections on public health, making it a significant topic in medical journals.
• Fictional stories sometimes use bacterial infections as plots, where characters must fight against or uncover truths about these germs.

Main points about word origin

• The term 'neisserial' comes from the name of the scientist Albert Neisser, who discovered the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea in the 19th century.
• Neisser was one of the early microbiologists, contributing greatly to our understanding of infectious diseases.

The term 'Neisseria' derives from the name of the German bacteriologist Albert Neisser who first described the genus in the late 19th century. Albert Neisser's work focused on the study of infectious diseases, specifically those caused by bacteria. The name reflects not only the contributions of Neisser to microbiology but also the characteristics of the bacteria he studied. The genus Neisseria was established in 1885, and it includes several key species, many of which are significant human pathogens. The naming convention used in taxonomy, where the genus is typically named after a person, underscores the importance of individual contributions to scientific knowledge. Over time, Neisseria has gained recognition not just in clinical settings but also in research, advancing our understanding of microbial world and its interactions with human health.