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Nursing Standard (Royal College of...Meningococcal disease is an important medical emergency demanding early diagnosis and prompt treatment. This article provides an overview of meningococcal infection and... (Review)
Review
Meningococcal disease is an important medical emergency demanding early diagnosis and prompt treatment. This article provides an overview of meningococcal infection and discusses mode of transmission, risk factors, prevention of spread, vaccination and current recommendations for treatment.
Topics: Adult; Carrier State; Child; Disease Notification; Endemic Diseases; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Infant, Newborn; Information Services; Meningococcal Infections; Population Surveillance; Prevalence; Primary Prevention; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Travel; United Kingdom; Vaccination
PubMed: 11974830
DOI: 10.7748/ns2001.10.16.7.47.c3110 -
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin Apr 1990
Review
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Vaccines; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Meningococcal Vaccines
PubMed: 2131249
DOI: No ID Found -
Critical Care Clinics Jul 2013Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is a relatively uncommon cause of invasive infection, but when it occurs it is frequently severe and potentially... (Review)
Review
Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is a relatively uncommon cause of invasive infection, but when it occurs it is frequently severe and potentially life threatening. Meningococcus should be considered and investigated promptly as a potentially etiologic pathogen in any patient with meningitis, or sepsis accompanied by a petechial rash. Suspected patients should receive early appropriate antimicrobial therapy concomitantly with confirmatory invasive diagnostic tests. Vaccines have reduced the incidence of infection with certain non-B meningococcal serogroups, and new serotype B vaccines are on the horizon. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of severe meningococcal infections.
Topics: APACHE; Administration, Intravenous; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteremia; Blood Chemical Analysis; Brain; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Chemoprevention; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Notification; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Intensive Care Units; Meningitis, Meningococcal; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis; Prognosis; Purpura Fulminans; Risk Assessment; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 23830646
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2013.03.001 -
Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy Feb 2013Meningococcal disease is caused by a limited range of clonal complexes of Neisseria meningitidis. The disease occurs in people who lack bactericidal antibodies to this... (Review)
Review
Meningococcal disease is caused by a limited range of clonal complexes of Neisseria meningitidis. The disease occurs in people who lack bactericidal antibodies to this pathogen, and therefore the patients are reliant on innate immunity or components of acquired immunity other than bactericidal antibodies. Gene variants that influence the function of innate and acquired immune response components have been associated with altered host susceptibility to meningococcal disease, and some genetic factors have also been associated with more severe disease. Identification of genetic factors associated with meningococcal disease will enhance our understanding of this rare but dangerous condition which causes death and serious morbidity in young, previously fit individuals. Genetic variations in the gene cluster encoding IL-1 and in key genes including TNF, SP-A2 and CFH have been associated with susceptibility to meningococcal disease. Understanding the mechanisms underlying genetic susceptibility to meningococcal disease will permit the development of novel therapeutic measures for the treatment of Gram-negative sepsis. To enable the discovery of new mechanisms of the disease, future research will move away from small-scale association studies and instead include analysis of large patient cohorts with accurately linked clinical and demographic information.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Complement C3b; Fibrinolysis; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Meningococcal Infections
PubMed: 23409824
DOI: 10.1586/eri.12.161 -
Journal of Medical Microbiology Nov 2008Scientific knowledge of meningococcal infection has increased greatly since the epidemic nature of the illness was first described by Vieusseux at the dawn of the... (Review)
Review
Scientific knowledge of meningococcal infection has increased greatly since the epidemic nature of the illness was first described by Vieusseux at the dawn of the nineteenth century. In fact, revolutionary advances have been made in public-health measures, antimicrobial therapy, diagnostic procedures, anti-inflammatory drugs and supportive care facilities. Based on the knowledge accumulated to date, it is generally accepted that the pathogenesis of meningococcal infection involves multiple links that interconnect in a complex web of phenomena from Neisseria meningitidis attachment to meningococcal sepsis or meningitis. In fact, a myriad of strongly interacting inflammatory molecules and cells have been implicated in neisserial infection, illustrating the complexity of meningococcal pathogenesis. In addition, many of these signallers are critically involved in outcomes in the human host. Deciphering the pathogenesis of meningococcal infection could expand our knowledge and provide important clues to the host-pathogen interaction, as well as leading to the development of new therapeutic tools. Herein, we review the history of the discovery and characterization of meningococcal disease, epidemiological features of the disease with an emphasis on recent developments in Brazil, the cellular and molecular basis of disease, and discuss diagnosis and therapy.
Topics: Cytokines; Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Meningococcal Infections; Toll-Like Receptors
PubMed: 18927406
DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.47599-0 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Aug 2016Neisseria meningitidis is a common cause of bacterial meningitis and septicemia that can lead to permanent sequelae or death. N meningitidis is classified into... (Review)
Review
Neisseria meningitidis is a common cause of bacterial meningitis and septicemia that can lead to permanent sequelae or death. N meningitidis is classified into serogroups based on the composition of the capsular polysaccharide, with serogroups A, B, C, W, X, and Y recognized as the major disease-causing organisms. The unpredictability of infection coupled with the poor prognosis for some patients suggests immunization as an effective preventive strategy. Importantly, four of the six disease-causing serogroups (A, C, Y, and W) may be prevented with available quadrivalent capsular polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines; these vaccines have been successfully implemented into immunization programs in the United States. Unfortunately, quadrivalent conjugate vaccines are not effective against serogroup B, now the most common cause of invasive meningococcal disease. Two recombinant protein vaccines recently were licensed for prevention of serogroup B disease. Recommendations for use of these serogroup B vaccines in the United States have been made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This article will discuss all available meningococcal vaccines, current recommendations for use, lessons learned from previous experiences, and future considerations, with the hope of further understanding how use of these vaccines may help reduce incidence of meningococcal disease in the United States.
Topics: Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Immunization Programs; Incidence; Meningococcal Infections; Meningococcal Vaccines; Neisseria meningitidis; Risk; United States; Universities; Vaccines, Conjugate
PubMed: 27449147
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.03.040 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Aug 2016Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection that may progress rapidly, even after appropriate treatment has commenced. Early suspicion of the diagnosis is... (Review)
Review
Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening infection that may progress rapidly, even after appropriate treatment has commenced. Early suspicion of the diagnosis is vital so that parenteral antibiotic treatment can be administered as soon as possible to reduce the complications of infection. The outcome of meningococcal disease is critically dependent on prompt recognition of two important complications: shock and raised intracranial pressure. Rapid recognition of disease and of these complications, together with appropriate management is crucial to the outcome of affected patients. This article summarizes the clinical features of invasive meningococcal disease, diagnostic tools, treatment modalities, and common post-infection sequelae.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Early Diagnosis; Emergency Treatment; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 27449146
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.04.013 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Dec 2021Baseline hospitalization, mortality, and in-hospital fatality rates for meningococcal infection are required to evaluate preventive interventions, such as the inclusion...
BACKGROUND
Baseline hospitalization, mortality, and in-hospital fatality rates for meningococcal infection are required to evaluate preventive interventions, such as the inclusion of the conjugated quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine and serogroup B based protein vaccines.
METHODS
All meningococcal infection-related hospitalizations in any diagnostic position in Spain from 1st January 1997 through 31st December 2018 were analysed. The annual hospitalization rate, mortality rate and case-fatality rate were calculated.
RESULTS
The average hospitalization rate for meningococcal infection was 1.64 (95% CI 1.61 to 1.66) hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants during the study period and significantly decreased from 1997 to 2018. Hospitalizations for meningococcal infection decreased significantly with age and were concentrated in children under 5 years of age (46%). The hospitalization rates reached 29 per 100,000 and 24 per 100,000 children under 1 and 2 years of age, respectively. The in-hospital case-fatality rate was 7.45% (95% CI 7.03 to 7.86). Thirty percent of the deaths occurred in children under 5 years of age, and more than half occurred in adults. The case fatality rate increased significantly with age (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to maintain epidemiological surveillance of meningococcal infection to determine the main circulating serogroups involved, track their evolution, and evaluate preventive measures whose effectiveness must be assessed in all age groups.
Topics: Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Hospitalization; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Meningococcal Vaccines; Neisseria meningitidis; Spain
PubMed: 34872512
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06916-9 -
Archives of Disease in Childhood Jul 2003Aggressive early treatment of meningococcal disease can reduce mortality. This relies on prompt recognition and treatment of the complications of septicaemia and... (Review)
Review
Aggressive early treatment of meningococcal disease can reduce mortality. This relies on prompt recognition and treatment of the complications of septicaemia and meningitis, appropriate ongoing intensive care where necessary, and adequate management of multiple organ failure. Most children with meningococcal disease survive intact, but long term sequelae are increasingly recognised and make follow up essential. New treatments continue to be evaluated, but none has so far proven to be effective in further reducing morbidity or mortality. Simple, timely therapeutic manoeuvres may greatly improve the prospects for survival.
Topics: Child; Clinical Protocols; Critical Care; Humans; Intracranial Hypertension; Meningococcal Infections; Shock, Septic
PubMed: 12818909
DOI: 10.1136/adc.88.7.608 -
Human Genetics Jun 2020Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. Meningococcal disease is rare but can be life threatening with a tendency to... (Review)
Review
Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. Meningococcal disease is rare but can be life threatening with a tendency to affect children. Many studies have investigated the role of human genetics in predisposition to N. meningitidis infection. These have identified both rare single-gene mutations as well as more common polymorphisms associated with meningococcal disease susceptibility and severity. These findings provide clues to the pathogenesis of N. meningitidis, the basis of host susceptibility to infection and to the aetiology of severe disease. From the multiple discoveries of monogenic complement deficiencies to the associations of complement factor H and complement factor H-related three polymorphisms to meningococcal disease, the complement pathway is highlighted as being central to the genetic control of meningococcal disease. This review aims to summarise the current understanding of the host genetic basis of meningococcal disease with respect to the different stages of meningococcal infection.
Topics: Complement Factor H; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Human Genetics; Humans; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis; Polymorphism, Genetic; Virulence
PubMed: 32067109
DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02128-4