Meningococcal Disease (Neisseria meningitidis)
N. meningitidis is often referred to as an “accidental pathogen” because it prefers to live at the back of the throat, with no intent to cause meningitis or sepsis - Professor Helen Marshall
image by: Trevor Schwellnus
HWN Suggests
What is meningococcal disease and what are the options for vaccination?
As a medical researcher and parent of two teenagers there is one bug, Neisseria meningitidis, that really scares me. This is mainly because of the speed and severity of the infection it causes, called meningococcal disease, and its predilection for infecting healthy adolescents and younger children. Meningococcal is a rare but very serious infection that can lead to blood poisoning (septicaemia) and/or brain infection (meningitis). The initial symptoms can be vague and non-specific.Articles of Interest
Brave Child Survivors of Debilitating Disease Remind Us Why We Want to Fight for Kids Everywhere
Meningococcal disease is a sudden, aggressive illness that can lead to death within 24 hours of onset. Symptoms closely echo a serious cold or flu and may also include a stiff neck, sensitivity to light and most seriously a purple rash. Babies, toddlers and adolescents are most vulnerable, and unfortunately, many of those who do survive are often left with life-long complications such as brain damage, learning disabilities, hearing loss and amputation of limbs.
Meningococcal disease: What it is and how to prevent it.
Fortunately, there are vaccines available to prevent the most common types (also known as serogroups) of meningococcal infections. Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. It can cause bloodstream infections or meningitis—an inflammation in the lining that covers the brain and spinal cord. The type of meningitis that is caused by meningococcal disease is referred to as meningococcal meningitis. It will strike otherwise healthy individuals and can cause devastating illness—even death.
Neisseria meningitidis: Biology, Microbiology, and Epidemiology
Despite an understanding of the pathogenesis, the availability of therapeutic and prophylactic antibiotics and immunizations against important serogroups, the meningococcus remains a leading cause worldwide of bacterial meningitis. Invasive meningococcal disease results from the interplay of: microbial factors influencing the virulence of the organism, environmental conditions facilitating exposure and acquisition, and host susceptibility factors favoring bacterial acquisition, colonization, invasion, and survival.
What is meningococcal disease? What symptoms should I look out for? And how can I prevent it?
Meningococcal disease is caused by the meningococcus bacteria, also known as Neisseria meningitidis. The bacterial infection causes meningitis (infection of the lining around the brain) and/or sepsis (blood poisoning). The highest risk of disease is in children under four years, and adolescents and young adults aged 15-24.
Resources
Meningitis Now
Meningococcal disease is a term used to describe two major illnesses – meningitis and septicaemia* (blood poisoning). These can occur on their own or more commonly, both together. It is a life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Men B is the most common strain in the UK, but other strains include MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY
The Amanda Young Foundation
The Amanda Young Foundation is a non-profit community organisation dedicated to reducing deaths in WA from meningococcal disease, and supporting survivors of the disease.
CDC
Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These illnesses are often severe, can be deadly, and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease.
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Even with treatment, approximately 1 out of every 10 people who get meningococcal disease will die, and of those who survive, up to 20 percent will suffer serious and permanent complications including brain damage, kidney damage, hearing loss, and amputation of arms, legs, fingers, or toes.
National Meningitis Association
Meningococcal disease is a rare but very serious bacterial infection that causes meningitis, which is a swelling of the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease can also cause bloodstream poisoning , which is called meningococcal sepsis or meningococcemia. The terms meningitis and meningococcal disease are often used interchangeably.
The Amanda Young Foundation
The Amanda Young Foundation is a non-profit community organisation dedicated to reducing deaths in WA from meningococcal disease, and supporting survivors of the disease.
