Examining meningitis mainly from a bacterial perspective, but also including an overview of viral, fungal and chronic meningitis, this book describes the anatomy of the meninges and clinical signs and symptoms of this disease. Individual organisms that cause meningitis worldwide are dealt with in specific chapters, describing in detail how these pathogens interact with the human host at both a molecular and cellular level. The book provides a thorough understanding of bacterial virulence factors, adhesion and invasion mechanisms, the nature of known host cell receptors and the host cell response.