Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease
Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman, one of the youngest survivors of the disease. The infected arms and legs had to be amputated later.
SpecialtyInfectious disease, critical care medicine
SymptomsFlu-like symptoms, stiff neck, altered mental status, seizures, purpura
ComplicationsGangrene leading to amputation, sepsis, brain damage, blindness, deafness
PreventionMeningococcal vaccine
TreatmentAntibiotics
Prognosis10–20% mortality generally. 10% mortality with treatment.

Meningococcal disease describes infections caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (also termed meningococcus).[1] It has a high mortality rate if untreated but is vaccine-preventable.[2] While best known as a cause of meningitis, it can also result in sepsis, which is an even more damaging and dangerous condition. Meningitis and meningococcemia are major causes of illness, death, and disability in both developed and under-developed countries.

There are approximately 2,600 cases of bacterial meningitis per year in the United States, and on average 333,000 cases in developing countries. The case fatality rate ranges between 10 and 20 percent.[3] The incidence of endemic meningococcal disease during the last 13 years ranges from 1 to 5 per 100,000 in developed countries, and from 10 to 25 per 100,000 in developing countries. During epidemics the incidence of meningococcal disease approaches 100 per 100,000. Meningococcal vaccines have sharply reduced the incidence of the disease in developed countries.[4]

The disease's pathogenesis is not fully understood. Neisseria meningitidis colonises a substantial proportion of the general population harmlessly, but in a very small percentage of individuals it can invade the bloodstream, affecting the entire body, most notably limbs and brain, causing serious illness. Over the past few years[when?], experts have made an intensive effort to understand specific aspects of meningococcal biology and host interactions; however, the development of improved treatments and effective vaccines is expected to depend on novel efforts by workers in many different fields.[5]

While meningococcal disease is not as contagious as the common cold (which is spread through casual contact), it can be transmitted through saliva and occasionally through close, prolonged general contact with an infected person.

  1. ^ Suryadevara M (2021). "19. Meningococcus". In Domachowske J, Suryadevara M (eds.). Vaccines: A Clinical Overview and Practical Guide. Switzerland: Springer. pp. 235–246. ISBN 978-3-030-58416-0. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  2. ^ Bash MC (2022). "6. Infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis". In Jong EC, Stevens DL (eds.). Netter's Infectious Diseases (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. pp. 24–28. ISBN 978-0-323-71159-3. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  3. ^ Riedo FX, Plikaytis BD, Broome CV (August 1995). "Epidemiology and prevention of meningococcal disease". Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 14 (8): 643–57. doi:10.1097/00006454-199508000-00001. PMID 8532420. S2CID 39011100. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  4. ^ Patel M, Lee Ck (24 January 2005). Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group (ed.). "Polysaccharide vaccines for preventing serogroup A meningococcal meningitis". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001093.pub2.
  5. ^ Pollard AJ, Maiden MC (2001). Meningococcal Disease: Methods and Protocols. Humana Press. ISBN 978-0-89603-849-3.