Meningitis is an inflammation of the coverings of spinal cord and brain. Meningitis results from an infection to the cerebrospinal fluid in the spaces that surround the brain and spinal cord (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012). Either infections from viruses or from bacteria can cause meningitis; however, the viral form of meningitis is often significantly less severe than its bacterial counterpart and usually resolves without much treatment (CDC, 2012). Meningococcal disease (meningitis) is caused by bacteria Neisseria meningitides which is known also as meningiococcus (CDC, 2012). N. meningitidis is rather common and is actually is known to occur in the upper respiratory tracts of five to thirty percent asymptomatic individuals (Manchanda, Gupta, & Bhalla, 2006).
Meningococcal disease is primarily occurs in younger children. Nearly 50% of cases occur in children younger than four years of age (CDC, 2012). Adults who are at increased risk of developing meningococcal disease would consists of people recently brought together and housed in crowded conditions like dormitories, barracks, or mental institutions. Thus, college freshmen who live in dormitories are at increased risk as a boot camp inductees in the military. Of course those adults exposed to infected persons are at greatest risk of contracting the disease, but still the probability for adults is low (3:1000) as most adults have prior exposure and have developed immunities (CDC, 2012). This is why there is a large incidence in young children. Meningococcal disease occurs worldwide; however in the later part of the 1900's and early 2000's the disease has been especially prevalent in Asia and Africa. Its incidence is exceptionally high in an area of sub-Saharan Africa that is often called the "meningitis belt." Travelers here may be at increased risk of developing meningococcal disease,...
meningitidis most often occurs through throat and via respiratory secretions. The disease can be quickly spread by close contract with an infected person such as being in close quarters, kissing, sharing eating utensils, coughing, etc. (CDC, 2012). The N. meningitidis bacteria often enter the body via the pharynx. For some as yet unknown reason the bacteria can overwhelm some people's natural defenses leading to an infection. This infection will quickly spread via the blood and to the brain (Manchanda et al., 2006). N. meningitidis most often occurs intra-cellular inside neutrophils within the cytoplasm which in turn are attracted to the areas of inflammation within the meninges (Manchanda et al., 2006). The bacteria protect themselves from the phagocytic actions of the neutrophils by enclosing themselves in an antiphagocytic polysaccharide capsule (Manchanda et al., 2006). N. Meningitidis undergoes autolysis during growth and releases a portion of its cell wall. This in turn results in the release of lipooligosaccharide which acts as an endotoxin (Manchanda et al., 2006).
The mean incubation time for the disease is four days with a range between two to ten days (CDC, 2012). The initial symptoms of meningococcal disease include a stiff neck, high fever, confusion, headache, light sensitivity, and vomiting (CDC, 2012). Even if treatment is initiated an estimated five to ten percent of infected patients expire within 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset. Anywhere between 10% to 20% of survivors display neurological problems including brain damage, hearing loss, and even later learning problems (CDC, 2012).
Although meningococcal disease was first described in 1805 the casual agent, the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis,…
