The present invention concerns the use of an inhibitor of an interaction between type IV pilus-associated protein and CD147 for preventing or treating meningoccal bacteraemia and/or infection. The present invention also relates to the combined use of such inhibitor and of an anti-bacterial compound, such as one used to prevent or treat a meningococcal infection. The invention also relates to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of meningococcal bacteraemia and/or infection, and to a method for screening inhibitors of the interaction between type IV pilus-associated protein and CD147.