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== Neisseria meningitides ==

Neisseria meningitides is a bacterium that infects humans and is the leading cause of “Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) is a common form of meningococcal disease and is characterized by fever, severe headache, and stiff neck. Patients with meningococcal sepsis (severe illness caused by bacteria or their toxins in the blood) may present with high fever, hypotension (low blood pressure), and profound weakness. In either case, patients may develop a characteristic rash including petechiae (pinpoint red spots that do not blanch with pressure) or purpura (purple areas similar to bruises) that are caused by bleeding into the skin. Purpura fulminans (hemorrhagic condition resulting in tissue necrosis and small vessel thrombosis) can result in scarring or limb amputations. Approximately 10-14% of cases of meningococcal disease are fatal. Of patients who recover, 11-19% have permanent hearing loss, mental retardation, loss of limbs or other severe sequelae." <ref>"Neisseria Meningitidis." Neisseria Meningitidis. Georgia Department of Public Health, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://health.state.ga.us/epi/bacterial/path-neisseria.asp>.</ref> For this reason major amounts of research is being done on this bacteria and its transport mechanisms.