Bacteraemia with or without sepsis, meningococcal septicaemia with or without meningitis, meningo-encephalitis, chronic meningococcaemia, pneumonia, septic arthritis, pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, conjunctivitis, panophthalmitis, genitourinary tract infection, pelvic infection, peritonitis and proctitis are among the diseases caused by meningococci.

Because it is an aerobic organism, like most members of the Neisseriaceae family, it also has catalase and oxidase activity. Gillespie MB, BCh, BAO, MRCP(UK), MRCPath, in, Medical Microbiology (Eighteenth Edition), Goldman's Cecil Medicine (Twenty Fourth Edition), Diseases of Small and Medium-sized Blood Vessels, Cardiovascular Pathology (Fourth Edition), Systemic Bacteria Transmissible by Kissing, Jacobo Limeres Posse, ... Crispian Scully, in, Saliva Protection and Transmissible Diseases, Ishmael Kasvosve, ... Joris R. Delanghe, in, Encyclopedia of Microbiology (Third Edition). All rights reserved). N.meningitidis is a fastidious, encapsulated, aerobic gram-negative diplococcus. | Family = Neisseriaceae Neisseria meningitidis has 13 clinically significant serogroups, classified according to the antigenic structure of their polysaccharide capsule. This phenomenon was seen in other laboratory and clinical strains of N. meningitidis that contained operational denitrification genes. 8 Hill DJ, Griffiths NJ, Borodina E, Virji M. “Cellular and molecular biology of Neisseria meningitidis colonization and invasive disease.” US National Library of Medicine. Both vaccines are designed to prevent serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135 meningococcal disease, but are lacking serogroup B antigen. These low levels in the meningococcus may be related to the fact that the workers used “nitrite‐tolerant” strains of N. meningitidis.

In addition to pili, N. meningitidis also express Opa and Opc, two types of proteins found on the outer membrane of the bacteria. Neisseria meningitidis is under statewide active surveillance through the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and a case report form is required for each case.

In this review, we describe the biology, microbiology, and epidemiology of this exclusive human pathogen. Aerobic growth is typically performed in small volumes (e.g., 5 ml) in a container with large air space with rapid agitation (i.e., 200 rpm). [6], There are two available meningococcal vaccines available in the United States: Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (MPSV4) and Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4). Pediatr Infect Dis J.  | 

Bacteria that cause meningococcal disease can also infect the blood, causing septicemia. Symptoms of septicemia include tiredness, vomiting, chills, severe aches and pain, fast breathing, diarrhea, and a dark rash. Five serotypes of meningococcal bacteria cause most disease worldwide: serotypes circulating in the U.S. are likely to be B, C, or Y. Serotypes A and W-135 meningococci are potential risks for travelers. Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis primarily in children and young adults, with the majority of cases occurring in individuals younger than age 30 years. This pathogen may also cause overwhelming sepsis, purpura fulminans, or (rarely) benign meningococcemia. Neisseria meningitidis, a Gram-negative diplococcus known as the meningococcus, continues to be among the most important causes of bacterial meningitis worldwide. These receptors are characterized by a TonB-dependent gated porin and an accessory lipoprotein [58–60]. Intriguingly, it was not observed in supplemented aerobic cultures of the mutant strain MC58 aniA or two natural aniA mutant clinical strains (Table 27.1)—the growth profiles of one clinical strain (Z4662 serotype B) are shown in Fig.

Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but people who live or travel to certain areas of the world are more likely to get it.

Hemorrhagic lesions sometimes occur on mucous membranes and sclera, but they are especially prevalent on the limbs. 2020 Sep 16;5(5):e00376-20. This is to produce an oxygen‐limited environment, which in turn enables FNR to activate the expression of gene products such as AniA. Ferguson LE, Hormann MD, Parks DK, Yetman RJ. Severe meningococcal disease can occur when the bacterium enters normally sterile areas of the body, penetrating through the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.

US guidelines are online and available at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/menin-guidelines.htm, N.J. Oldfield, D.A.A. Molecular epidemiology and emergence of worldwide epidemic clones of Neisseria meningitidis in Taiwan. In 1937, sulfonamide therapy radically altered the outcome of meningococcal infection and replaced serum as treatment.24 In the 1940s, Branhan further defined meningococcal serogroups based on differences in capsular polysaccharide and developed the internationally standardized nomenclature A, B, C,25,26 which was later expanded in the 1960s by the work of Slaterus and by the Walter Reed Institute of Medical Research to include serogroups X,Y, Z, and W-135.27,28 Later work identified serogroups H, I, K, and L.29,30. Its effectivity in eradication of N. meningitidis is approximately 90%. Currently (2009), there are two vaccines against N. meningitidis available in the U.S. Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4 or Menomune®) has been available since 1981 for persons aged at least 2 years. Neisseria meningitidis is a leading worldwide cause of sepsis and meningitis, with the highest increase in infants, young children, and adolescents resulting in significant morbidity and mortality.

Due to the 16-kDa α2-chain of the Hp 2 allele, Hp 2-1 and Hp 2-2 may engage the receptor with a much higher avidity than the monomeric Hp 1-1 (8.9-kDa α1-chain) [63]. Hill DJ, Griffiths NJ, Borodina E, Virji M. Clin Sci (Lond). 27.2B. Over 100 years later, the need for rapid identification of meningococcal disease is still critical, with CSF analysis and clinical assessment remaining fundamental for a timely diagnosis [3,4]. Other regions of Africa also have high rates of meningococcal disease. Treatment for infected individuals involves the administration of antibiotics such as penicillin G to rid the pathogen and prevent its colonization. Isolates from the nasopharynx may be difficult to serogroup. 2006 Feb 15;6:25. doi: 10.1186/1471-2334-6-25. Vaccination against meningococci is the most effective means of disease prevention. [3], While N. meningitidis is found worldwide, the region of highest incidence is located in sub-Saharan Africa. Isolated septic pericarditis or septic arthritis can also be a presentation, and an autoimmune- or antibody-mediated polyarthritis can be seen in the recovery phase following invasive meningococcal disease. Travelers should receive the vaccine at least 1 week before departure, if possible. Over 100 years later, the need for rapid identification of meningococcal disease is still critical, with CSF analysis and clinical assessment remaining fundamental for a timely diagnosis [3,4]. Quadrivalent (Serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y) The “meningitis belt” of sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of meningococcal disease in the world.

Urine or serum tests for antigen are not used to diagnosis meningitis, as they are unreliable. Growth curves of MC58 (A) and Z4662 aniA (B) strains of N. meningitidis. [7], Due to the severity of illness, any individual suspected of infection by N. meningitidis should be admitted to a hospital immediately.

Suggestive Patterns for Descerning the Etiology of Meningitis Cases It is important to remember that the clinical picture can progress from one end of the spectrum to the other during the course of disease. This layer provides protection against environmental stress. 1 Center for Disease Control (CDC) General Information on Neisseria meningitidis On average, the incubation period is 2-4 days but can range from approximately 2-10 days, while invasive meningococcal infections occur within 14 days of acquiring the bacteria. This is a highly contagious … Neisseria meningitidis is a heterotrophic Gram-negative diplococcal microorganism, responsible for bacterial meningitidis. Meningitis and/or septicaemia are by far the most common presentations of disease. Participants in the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia are also more likely to get sick. A person with meningococcal disease needs immediate medical attention. Evolving ecchymoses or purpura (diameter >10 mm) are noted mainly in patients with meningococcemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (Chapter 178), but they may not appear until 12 hours into the illness. The usual method is by the slide agglutination technique using serogroup specific rabbit antiserum.