[Molecular and biological mechanisms of the meningococcal carrier state].

A review of the results of the latest molecular biological investigations on the problem of the formation of meningococcal carrier state, the colonization of human nasopharynx. The process of the adhesion of meningococci to epithelial cells by means of fimbrial and nonfimbrial adhesins, the transmission of signals between bacterial and epithelial cells, as well as the role phasic changes in the structure of meningococci in the process of adhesion are considered. The data on the penetration of meningococci into the epithelium and their fate within the cell are discussed. The biomolecular mechanisms of iron uptake by meningococci at the stage of their colonization of the nasopharyngoal mucosa are considered. The aspects of the prophylaxis of meningococcal carrier state are analyzed.