Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus),a species of non-motile,non- capsulate,aerobic,Gram negative bacteria causing meningitis. The image shows the typical appearance of a pair of cocci,each one concave on the side facing its partner. N. meningitidis is an obligate human parasite & the cause of meningococcal (cerebrospinal) meningitis,the inflammation of the connective tissue membranes lining the brain,which occurs sporadically or in epidemics. In temperate climates most epidemics have occurred in closely packed communities,eg war-time barracks. Magnification: x20,500 at 35mm,x41,000 at 6x7cm |