Effect of Streptococcus suis infection on NF-KB levels and microglia activation in BALB / c mice exposed to Streptococcus suis serotype 2 from clinical isolates of meningitis patients

    Streptococcus suis (S. suis) infection is a zoonotic disease with an increasing incidence in recent years and impacts on pig farming and human health, especially in Asia. S. suis meningitis is a severe infectious disease and has the potential to become an epidemic, especially in areas of pig farming with high pork consumption. S. suis is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in Bali.        
    S. suis can cause disease if it can colonize the host, penetrate the epithelial barrier, survive and reach the bloodstream, invade target organs, and then cause excessive inflammatory processes. High and prolonged levels of bacteremia play a role in the penetration of bacteria into the brain.
Clinical manifestations of S. suis infection are closely related to the inflammatory process that occurs. S. suis can induce excessive proinflammatory cytokines accompanied by activation and migration of leukocytes to cause meningitis. NF-ĸB is a transcription factor that functions as a central mediator of the human immune response to various pathogens including the bacteria that cause meningitis. NF-ĸB can induce the expression of various pro-inflammatory genes, inducing the formation of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules. Increased levels of NF-ĸB in cerebrospinal fluid (CSS) indicate severe inflammation in CSS.
Microbial invasion causes microglia to become active and ameboid-shaped which will move to the location of lesions or infectious areas with the aim of defense against invading bacteria, tissue protection, and recovery. Microglia have a dual role to protect neurons by preventing the entry of pathogens into the brain and cause toxic effects on neurons due to the production of NO, glutamate, and proinflammatory cytokines. Microglia activation affects the neurodegeneration process due to bacterial meningitis
The process of S. suis meningitis related to the inflammatory response and interactions with immune cells such as microglia is very complex and not yet fully known so that further research is needed

Keywords: S. suis infection, NF-kB levels, microglia activation, bacterial levels, meningitis