Neiserria Meningitidis

Question 1

What sort of diseases can it cause?

Answer 1

Meningitis

Question 2

Describe the mechanism of how it causes meningitis

Answer 2

Penetrates epithelial linging of the nasopharnyx and enters the bloodstream

Crosses the blood brain barrier and enters the meninges

Multiplies and induces acute inflammatory response where you get an influx of polynuclear leukocytes causing purulent meningitis

Question 3

What are the symptoms of meningitis?

Answer 3

Fever at first... As it becomes more severe: 
severe headache
rigid neck
vomiting
sensitivity to bright light
petechial/purpuric rash

Question 4

What is the main concern of meningitis?

Answer 4

If it progresses to fulminant septicaemia

Question 5

What are the symptoms of septicaemia?

Answer 5

Large, purple, blotchy skin haemorrhages, vomiting and diarrhoea, circulatory collapse, adrenal necrosis, death

Question 6

Gram positive or negative?

Answer 6

Negative

Question 7

shape?

Answer 7

Diplococcus

Kidney bean shaped

Question 8

Normal site?

Answer 8

Nasopharnyx

Question 9

Virulence factors?

Answer 9

Capsule: antiphagocytic
LOS (Gonococcal lipooligosaccharide) (Bacterial endotoxin): Responsible for severe septicaemia and shock
IgA protease: Evade immunoglobulins

Question 10

Describe some investigations that could test for this bacteria

Answer 10

Gram stain: Gram negative diplococci
You would test the CSF for the presence of bacteria. Expect to see increased pressure, increased proteins, and decreased glucose

Question 11

How does it spread?

Answer 11

Resp droplets

Question 12

Treatment?

Answer 12

Treat straight away before definitive diagnosis

Penicillin G or Ampicillin. Both can cross the blood brain barrier

Question 13

Prevention?

Answer 13

Vaccine

Prophylaxis given to family members and those in close contact with the patient