BACTERIA

Neisseria meningitidis appearance

Gram-negative cocci
typically appear in pairs with the opposing sides flattened (a "kidney bean" appearance, with the long axes of the cell parallel)
nonmotile
non-spore forming
has a polysaccharide capsule; N. meningitidis strains are grouped on the basis of their capsular polysaccharides, into 13 serogroups

Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, also called meningococcus. About 10% of people have this type of bacteria in the back of their nose and throat with no signs or symptoms of disease, called being 'a carrier'. But sometimes N.meningitidis bacteria can invade the body causing certain illnesses, which are known as meningococcal disease.