Bacterial Meningitis -- Neisseria Meningitidis

Question 1

Unique structural trait for N. meningitidis among its genus, second most important for virulence?

Answer 1

Antiphagocytic polysaccharide capsule

Question 2

5 most important subtypes of N. meningitidis

Answer 2

A, B, C, Y, W135

Question 3

Sporadic subtypes

Answer 3

B, C, Y

Question 4

Epidemic subtype

Answer 4

A – DRY SEASONS

Question 5

Early sx Meningococcal meningitis? Late?

Answer 5

Neck/back stiff, mental change; Petechiae/purpura

Question 6

Major toxin and MOA of N. meningitidis?

Answer 6

lipooligosaccharide; endotoxic

Question 7

Only known reservoir for N. meningitidis?

Answer 7

Human nasopharynx

Question 8

How does N. meningitidis get into the bloodstream?

Answer 8

Phase variation of its capsule

Question 9

Drug of choice for meningococcemia/meningitis?

Answer 9

Penicillin

Question 10

NM vaccine w/ serogroups A, C, Y, W135; unconjugated w/out memory component, given to high risk/military/cochlear transplant pts

Answer 10

Menomune

Question 11

NM vaccine w/ serogroups A, C, Y, W135; conjugated to toxoid w/ memory response, used in 11-55 y/o, recommended for all children 11-12 y/o

Answer 11

Menactra

Question 12

Which part of NM uses phase variation? Which uses RecA-mediated antigenic variation?

Answer 12

Capsule; Pilus

Question 13

Mech of phase variation?

Answer 13

direct DNA repeats, slipped strand mispairing