Pathogens
Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis

Precautions

Droplet / Contact Precautions

Susceptibilities

General Information

Encapsulated gram negative diplococci.

Dual roles as a commensal and potentially invasive pathogen. Oro- and nasopharynges of 10% of the population are colonized with this bacterium.

Humans are the reservoir.

Quadrivalent vaccine prevents disease caused by serogroups A/C/W-135/Y. Separate vaccine for serogroup B is also available.

Can cause outbreaks, particularly in crowded settings.

Increased risk of disease in patients with:

  • late complement deficiency
  • splenic impairment / asplenia
  • Meningitis
  • Bacteremia / Meningococcemia

Rarely:

  • Pneumonia
  • Septic arthritis
  • Pericarditis
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Others

Generally of little significance when cultured from non-sterile sites e.g. genital, pharynx.

Contact and droplet precautions until 24hrs of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Prophylaxis may be required for close contacts and healthcare workers. Consider Infectious Disease consultation.