What are the causes, risk factors, preventive measures, signs and symptoms, and treatment for Neisseria (N.) meningitidis meningitis, also known as meningococcal meningitis?

From the Research

Introduction to Neisseria (N.) meningitidis Meningitis

Neisseria (N.) meningitidis meningitis, also known as meningococcal meningitis, is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ]. This infection can lead to severe and potentially fatal consequences if not treated promptly.

Causes and Risk Factors

The primary cause of meningococcal meningitis is the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis [ 1, 2, 3, 4 ]. Risk factors for this infection include:

• Close contact with an infected individual
• Crowding, such as in college dorms
• Persistent complement deficiencies
• Complement inhibitor use
• Functional or anatomic asplenia
• Travel to outbreak regions, such as the meningitis belt of Africa

Preventive Measures

Preventive measures for meningococcal meningitis include:

• Vaccination with conjugate meningococcal vaccines, such as MenACWY and MenB [ 2, 3 ]
• Antibiotic prophylaxis for close contacts of infected individuals, using antibiotics such as rifampin, ceftriaxone, or azithromycin [ 1 ]
• Avoiding close contact with infected individuals
• Practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis can vary, but common presentations include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Petechial rash
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Cough
• Reactive pericarditis [ 5 ]

Treatment

Treatment for meningococcal meningitis typically involves:

• Systemic antibiotic therapy, such as ceftriaxone or penicillin
• Supportive care, such as fluid replacement and oxygen therapy
• Close monitoring for complications, such as septicemia and organ failure
• Antibiotic prophylaxis for close contacts of infected individuals
• Vaccination with conjugate meningococcal vaccines to prevent future infections [ 2, 3 ]

Differential Diagnosis and Caveats

It is essential to consider the differential diagnosis of meningococcal meningitis, including other causes of meningitis and septicemia. Additionally, caveats to treatment include:

• The potential for antibiotic resistance, particularly to ciprofloxacin [ 1 ]
• The importance of using the same manufacturer's serogroup B-containing vaccine for subsequent doses [ 3 ]
• The need for ongoing monitoring for antibiotic resistance and vaccine effectiveness [ 1, 3 ]