Pathogens
Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis

Precautions

Droplet Precautions

Susceptibilities

General Information

Encapsulated gram negative diplococci.

Normal flora. Humans are the reservoir.

Quadrivalent vaccine prevents disease by serogroups A/C/W-135/Y.

Occurs in outbreaks particularly in crowded settings.

Colonizer and cause of invasive disease:

  • Meningitis
  • Meningococcemia

Rarely:

  • Pneumonia
  • Septic arthritis
  • Pericarditis
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Others

Generally of little significance when cultured from nonsterile sites e.g. genital, pharynx.

Prophylaxis is indicated for:

  • Any household, child care or intimate contact
  • Medical personnel with contact w/ oral secretions within 7d on symptom onset
  • Travelers with exposure to respiratory secretions from index patient
  • Exposure to oral secretions = kissing, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, person performing endotracheal intubation or managing an ET tube

Prophylactic Regimens (Patients 15 yo+)

  • Ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO once
  • Rifampin 600 mg PO q12h x 2 days
  • Ceftriaxone 250 mg IM once

Prophylactic Regimens (Peds < 15 yo)

  • <1 month: Rifampin 5 mg/kg q12h PO x 2 days
  • ≥ month: Rifampin 10 mg/kg q12h PO x 2 days
  • Less than 15 y.o: Ceftriaxone 125 mg IM x 1