Question

Explain why certain antiphagocytic capsules are important virulence factors for bacterial pathogens that cause meningitis.

Answer 1

Meningitis is caused by the organism "Nisseria meningiditis", which consists of a polysaccharide capsule.This is very important for the bacteria to survive in the external environment.The antiphagocytic capsules usually helps the bacteria to grow in the extracellular environment and protects it from getting killed and creates the environment for the growth.At the same time it also inhibits the colonization of bacteria creating a barrier in the nasal cavity.So antiphagocytic capsules are the important virulence factors for bacterial pathogens that cause meningitis.