The Journal of infection
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The Journal of infection · Jun 2011
Association of chronic meningococcemia with infection by meningococci with underacylated lipopolysaccharide.
Chronic meningococcemia is an uncommon manifestation of meningococcal disease. Our objective was to asses whether a bacterial factor, a mutation in the lpxL1 gene resulting in underacylated lipopolysaccharide, might be important in chronic meningococcemia. ⋯ We conclude that chronic meningococcemia patients are often infected with meningococci with a mutation in lpxL1 resulting in underacylated lipid A. The lpxL1 mutations may well explain the protracted and benign clinical course in these patients.