Pathogens
Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis

Precautions

Droplet / Contact 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

Contact and droplet precautions until 24hrs of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Prophylaxis may be required for close contacts and healthcare workers.