| Neisseria lactamica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
| Class: | Betaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Neisseriales |
| Family: | Neisseriaceae |
| Genus: | Neisseria |
| Species: | N. lactamica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Neisseria lactamica corrig. Hollis et al. 1969 (Approved Lists 1980)
| |
Neisseria lactamica is a gram-negative diplococcus bacterium. It is strictly a commensal species of the nasopharynx. Uniquely among the Neisseria they are able to produce β-D-galactosidase and ferment lactose.[1]
This species is most commonly carried by young children. There is an inverse relationship between colonisation by N. lactamica and Neisseria meningitidis.[2] Carriage of N. lactamica has been associated with decreased incidence of invasive meningococcal disease.[3] However, resistance to penicillin and other beta-lactams may be transmitted from commensal neisseriae such as Neisseria lactamica to disease causing Neisseria meningitidis by the process of genetic transformation.[4]
- ^ Hollis DG, Wiggins GL, Weaver RE (1969). "Neisseria lactamicus sp. n., a lactose-fermenting species resembling Neisseria meningitidis". Applied Microbiology. 17 (1): 71–7. doi:10.1128/am.17.1.71-77.1969. PMC 377615. PMID 4975454.
- ^ Gold R, Goldschneider I, Lepow ML, Draper TF, Randolph M (1978). "Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica in infants and children". Journal of Infectious Diseases. 137 (2): 112–21. doi:10.1093/infdis/137.2.112. PMID 415097.
- ^ Coen PG, Cartwright K, Stuart J (2000). "Mathematical modelling of infection and disease due to Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria lactamica". International Journal of Epidemiology. 29 (1): 180–8. doi:10.1093/ije/29.1.180. PMID 10750621.
- ^ Saez-Nieto JA, Lujan R, Martinez-Suarez JV, Berron S, Vazquez JA, Viñas M, Campos J (1990). "Neisseria lactamica and Neisseria polysaccharea as possible sources of meningococcal beta-lactam resistance by genetic transformation". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 34 (11): 2269–72. doi:10.1128/aac.34.11.2269. PMC 172037. PMID 2127349.