Study shows how meningitis-causing bacteria may sense fever to avoid immune killing

(Karolinska Institutet) Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered a mechanism through which meningitis-causing bacteria can evade our immune system. In laboratory tests, they found that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae respond to increasing temperatures by producing safeguards that keep them from getting killed. This may prime their defenses against our immune system and increase their chances of survival, the researchers say. The findings are published in the journal PLoS Pathogens.
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news