nisseria meningitidis

Question 1

what type of bacteria is nisseria meningitidis?

Answer 1

Gram negative diplococcus

Question 2

Who gets Neisseria meningitidis infection?

Answer 2

highest for young children and increase again for adolescents and young adults

Question 3

What are the main clinical features of nisseria meningitidis?

Answer 3

symptoms associated with meningitis:
* headache
* photophobia
* vomitting

symptoms associated with septicaemia:
* fever
* sepsis - tachycardia, poor pheripheral circulation, hypotension
* disseminated intravascular coagulation (many small blood clots)
* rash

Question 4

what is disseminated intravascular coagulation?

Answer 4

• coagulation process is out of control
• lots of small clots from which uses up platelets available resulting in bleeding

Question 5

how is rash caused by NM described?

Answer 5

1. Petechiae - tiny bleeds in the skin most frequently on trunk and lower portion of body
2. Ecchymoses - larger lesions noted in patients with severe DIC
3. Necrosis - blood vessel damage decreases oxygen supply causing tissue ischaemia and death

Question 6

what is the tumbler test?

Answer 6

the petechiae rash does not blanch when pressure is applied

Question 7

how is nisseria meningitidis managed?

Answer 7

1. Early recognition
2. Early administration of antibiotics. The recommendation if Neisseria meningitidis is suspected is to give intravenous CEFTRIAXONE
3. Urgent investigation
4. Supportive care, often in an intensive care unit to manage organ dysfunction and DIC.
5. Notify Public Health
6. Prevention

Question 8

what vaccines are available for nisseria meningitidis?

Answer 8

MenB vaccine
pneumococcal vaccine
MMR vaccine
6-in-1 vaccine