Bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are devastating with neonates being the population at the highest risk. Preventive measures, such as hygiene regimens and antibiotic intrapartum prophylaxis have decreased the incidence of neonatal CNS infections. However, mortality rates remain substantial and serious long-term sequelae, such as deafness or mental retardation are frequently observed. Knowledge about the pathogenesis CNS infection as a result of mucosal pathogen exposure is scant, mostly because of a lack of suitable animal models. And that´s where our story started…