Neisseria meningitidis
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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
- Penicillin G