Pathogens
Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis

Precautions

Droplet precautions until 24 hours after initiation of effective therapy.

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.

Droplet precautions until 24hrs of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Prophylaxis may be required for close contacts and healthcare workers.

For Confirmed Cases: Notify Public Health (213-974-1234) and MLKCH Infection Control (424-338-8560) ASAP.