Meningococcal meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is a severe, life-threatening bacterial infection of the meninges—the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord—caused by *Neisseria meningitidis* (meningococcus)

Meningococcal meningitis is a severe, life-threatening bacterial infection of the meninges—the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord—caused by *Neisseria meningitidis* (meningococcus) While the infection can affect individuals of any age, it disproportionately impacts infants, adolescents, young adults living in congregate settings, and immunocompromised patients Pathophysiologically, the organism colonizes the nasopharyngeal mucosa, crosses into the bloodstream, and penetrates...

Meningococcal meningitis is a severe, life-threatening bacterial infection of the meninges—the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord—caused by *Neisseria meningitidis* (meningococcus)

While the infection can affect individuals of any age, it disproportionately impacts infants, adolescents, young adults living in congregate settings, and immunocompromised patients It classically presents with an acute onset of high fever, severe headache, nuchal rigidity, photophobia, altered mental status, and potentially an accompanying petechial or purpuric rash

While the infection can affect individuals of any age, it disproportionately impacts infants, adolescents, young adults living in congregate settings, and immunocompromised patients

Pathophysiologically, the organism colonizes the nasopharyngeal mucosa, crosses into the bloodstream, and penetrates the blood-brain barrier to trigger marked subarachnoid inflammation and elevated intracranial pressure It classically presents with an acute onset of high fever, severe headache, nuchal rigidity, photophobia, altered mental status, and potentially an accompanying petechial or purpuric rash

Pathophysiologically, the organism colonizes the nasopharyngeal mucosa, crosses into the bloodstream, and penetrates the blood-brain barrier to trigger marked subarachnoid inflammation and elevated intracranial pressure

It classically presents with an acute onset of high fever, severe headache, nuchal rigidity, photophobia, altered mental status, and potentially an accompanying petechial or purpuric rash