Neisseria meningitidis 

• Unique Characteristics
  • See Neisseria Overview for characteristics to all Neisseria spp.
  • Polysaccharide capsule 
    • Increased risk in asplenic patients, since spleen works to remove encapsulated organisms
    • Contrast vs. N gonorrhoeae - no capsule
  • Maltose acid detection 
    • Contrast vs. N gonorrhoeae - no maltose acid detection 
• Transmitted via respiratory droplets/direct contact
  • Common in college students and military, between people in close proximity
• Presentation
  • Meningitis
  • Adrenal hemorrhage (Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome)
    • Seen in disseminated infection (septicemia)
    • Presents with adrenal insufficiency, fever, DIC (bleeding), shock
  • Fever, chills
• Vaccine
  • Available for at-risk individuals
  • Does not cover all serogroups (e.g. Group B)
  • Contrast vs. N gonorrhoeae - no vaccine 
• Treatment
  • Penicillin G
    • First-line agent for treatment of active infection (without meningitis)
    • Not useful for prophylaxis (use rifampin)
  • Ceftriaxone
    • First-line for bacterial meningitis
  • Rifampin for prevention in close contacts