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Invasive Meningococcal Disease: What We Should Know, Before It Comes Back

Besides vaccination, the key means of prevention, early recognition and aggressive treatment are the only effective measures against this invasive disease. The immediate administration of antibiotic therapy and the recognition and treatment of patients who may have complications of IMD, such as shock, raised intracranial pressure, or both, are required in order to prevent death. As meningococcal disease incidence fluctuates, knowledge about the disease and the responsiveness necessary to act effectively in a new case may be scarce in new generations of health personnel.

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 Meningococcal disease in childhood: epidemiology, clinical features and prevention

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) represents a public health problem and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. IMD can occur as an endemic disease with sporadic cases or epidemics with outbreaks.

Articles of Interest

Bacteria That Cause Meningitis Are Spreading Again, C.D.C. Warns

Federal officials are warning health care providers to be on the lookout for invasive meningococcal disease, a rare but potentially deadly illness that has increased in prevalence in recent years and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent long-term disability or death.

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.

Invasive meningococcal disease in adolescents in Europe and select geographies: Disease burden, unmet medical need, and optimizing prevention

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is uncommon but serious; the case fatality rate is 8–15% and up to 20–40% of survivors experience disabling sequelae, with a substantial socioeconomic impact. Although incidence is highest in infants and young children (aged ≤4 y), a second epidemiologic peak occurs in adolescents and young adults (aged 15–24 y), who are the main carriers of Neisseria meningitidis.

Invasive Meningococcal Disease in the Post-COVID World: Patterns of Disease Rebound

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a global health threat with an unpredictable epidemiology that varies regionally and over time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Invasive Respiratory Infection Surveillance Consortium reported widespread reductions in bacterial diseases transmitted via the respiratory route, including IMD, that were associated with the stringency of COVID-19 measures implemented in each country. Here, we report the epidemiology of IMD from the United States, England, France, Australia, and Chile during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Invasive Meningococcal Disease in the Vaccine Era

Prompt recognition of meningococcal infection and early aggressive treatment are essential in order to reduce mortality, which occurs in up to 10% of those with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). This figure may be significantly higher in those with inadequate or delayed treatment. Early administration of effective parenteral antimicrobial therapy and prompt recognition and appropriate management of the complications of IMD, including circulatory shock and raised intracranial pressure (ICP), are critical to help improve patient outcome.

Invasive Meningococcal Disease: A Review for Clinicians

Meningococcal infection is a life-threatening disease with a short incubation period and rapid progression caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Approximately half of all cases of invasive meningococcal disease are associated with meningitis, but counter-intuitively, those patients with meningococcemia sparing the central nervous system often have more severe illness. Almost all human infections are caused by N. meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135. Vaccines directed against serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 have been available since the 1970s, while vaccines to prevent serogroup B disease first became available in 2014.

Invasive Meningococcal outbreak toolbox

The Outbreak Toolkit is specifically designed for epidemiologists and field investigators operating at the frontline of complex emergencies and in resource-limited settings

Life After Invasive Meningococcal Disease: Insights from Survivors and Their Caregivers

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a low incidence but is a life-threatening illness that is preventable via vaccination. Even with treatment, up to 10–15% of cases are fatal, and many survivors may experience severe long-term sequelae. This study illustrates the enduring sequelae of IMD and heavy long-term humanistic burden on survivors and their caregivers, encompassing physical disabilities, emotional trauma, and substantial financial challenges.

Management of invasive meningococcal disease in children and young people: summary of SIGN guidelines

Invasive meningococcal disease has an early, non-specific stage with signs such as fever, lethargy, irritability, nausea, and poor feeding. These signs are commonly found in children with self limiting viral illnesses, so a confident differential diagnosis at an early stage is very difficult. Observational studies have associated leg pain, cold extremities, and abnormal skin colour with developing invasive meningococcal disease. This non-specific early stage commonly lasts for several hours before invasive meningococcal disease progresses rapidly to three general disease patterns...

Working Together to Defeat Invasive Meningococcal Disease

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), epidemics of IMD occur frequently, particularly in areas of the world where IMD is endemic. In Canada, meningococcal B and meningococcal C are the primary causes of infection. However, surveillance data indicates that meningococcal Y is more frequent in adults 65 years and older.

Resources

Australian Centre for Disease Control

Invasive meningococcal disease is a rare but serious bacterial infection. It spreads through close and prolonged contact. Getting vaccinated is the best protection.

GSK

IMD is unpredictable and easily misdiagnosed. It often presents as a mild disease at first, but then progresses rapidly and can become potentially lethal within 24 hours.2-3

PENMENVY

Neisseria meningitidis is the major cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). IMD is easily misdiagnosed. IMD can progress rapidly to death in 24-48 hours. More than 1 out of 3 survivors experience serious complications such as loss of limbs, hearing loss, and brain damage.