The history of Neisseria research has involved the use of a wide variety of vertebrate and invertebrate animal models, from insects to humans. In this review, we itemise these models and describe how they have made significant contributions to understanding the pathophysiology of Neisseria infections and to the development and testing of vaccines and antimicrobials. We also look ahead, briefly, to their potential replacement by complex in vitro cellular models.
Keywords: Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Neisseria meningitidis; animal model; immunology; infection; invertebrate; vaccine; vertebrate.