Endotoxin liberation associated with growth, encapsulation and virulence of Neisseria meningitidis.

Endotoxin liberation, encapsulation and growth was studied in 123 isolates of Neisseria meningitidis. Free endotoxin appeared in culture filtrates during exponential growth. Meningococci with free endotoxin titre greater than or equal to 10(2) (E+) showed a higher mean number of viable bacterial counts (CFU/ml) during growth than isolates with titre less than 10(2) (E-), p less than 0.001. Differences in endotoxin liberation was, however, far more pronounced than what was indicated by growth differences alone. E+ property and increased growth rate was significantly more often found among encapsulated than non-encapsulated meningococci. Within the serogroup B isolates, there tended to be a higher mean number of CFU/ml during growth in E+ than E- meningococci, particularly among carrier isolates studied separately (p = 0.009). Case isolates of B meningococci, which had generally a higher amount of capsular material and a higher proportion of E+ strains, had also higher mean CFU/ml than B carrier isolates. This indicates that the endotoxin liberation and growth may be correlated to presence and amount of capsular polysaccharide. Endotoxin liberation, presence of capsular polysaccharide and growth ability are 3 factors which are likely to coincide in meningococci. This combination of properties may be of importance for the development of meningococcal disease.