Introduction Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) is a Gram-negative bacterium which normally resides as a harmless commensal in the human nasopharyngeal mucosa [1] . The encapsulated bacterium is capable of causing serious blood and brain infections, and it is a major cause of epidemic sepsis and meningitis [2]. The bacterium is now classified into 13 serogroups, which are based on the chemical composition of the polysaccharide capsule. Only six serogroups (A, B, C, W, X and Y) are responsible
The Public Health Burden of Meningococcal Meningitis Introduction Meningococcal Meningitis is one of the different forms of Meningitis disease. It is caused by a bacterium Neisseria meningitidis which affects the thin lining of the brain called the meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid. It has been implicated in meningitis outbreaks as far back as the 1600s and is the major causative strain of epidemics in Africa. Bacterial meningitis is a major public health burden especially in the semi -arid region
diagnosed on time and treated promptly it can leave the patient with long-term brain deficiencies and physical disabilities and in worse cases death. I came to the conclusion of the diagnosis of Meningococcal meningitis caused by the microorganism Neisseria meningitidis based not only on facts about signs and symptoms typical of the disease which included fever, headaches, neck pain and stiffness, and the typical purpuric rash that produces the disease but by performing a lumbar puncture also known as a spinal
variety of conditions, most of which are related to hearing deficiencies. Meningitis attacks many different parts of the world both in the distant past and in recent years. The most common place for the four epidemic-causing serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis to attack is in the Meningitis Belt in sub-Saharan Africa. Meningitis is a well-known disease among people; however, there are many confusing aspects about it. Many people do not truly understand what meningitis is, what is does, or how it
Treating and Preventing Meningitis and Encephalitis The diseases, meningitis and encephalitis, cause various problems in the brain and should be avoided at all costs. Various preventative measures can be taken to avoid them. When one does contract one of the diseases, treatments are available to help cure them, but the treatments do not have a 100 percent success rate. Because of its viral and bacterial tendencies, antibiotics are used at times to attack the diseases as are various vaccines to
bacterial meningitis was first discovered in Switzerland in 1805 by Gaspard Vieusseux. The bacterium was first identified as Neisseria intracellularis by Anton Weichselbaum. This bacterium is now known as Neisseria meningitidis and can only infect humans (Peterson, n.d.). According to Dr. Varnada Karriem-Norwood, bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria cause the meninges that cover the brain and spinal cord to swell which decreases the blood flow to the
Introduction Neisseria meningitidis is a gram-negative bacterial pathogen which is hosted only by humans and colonizes nasopharynx. It is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis and meningococcal infections worldwide. Over half a million meningococcal cases occur annually and causes large epidemic and endemic outbreaks. Thus, meningococcal infection is one of the top ten infectious cause of death in the whole world (Tzeng & Stephens, 2000). Although the bacterium causes numerous human diseases
Patient compliance and effort V. Outcomes A. Adequate oxygenation and ventilation B. Improved hemodynamics From the years 1998 to 2007, about 1,500 Americans were infected with the bacteria associated with Neisseria meningitdis commonly known as meningococcus. Unfortunately about eleven percent of those infected died and about twenty percent of the people suffer from long term consequences such as brain damage, kidney disease, or amputations. Meningococcemia
Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination as a Basis for Clinical Classification of Common Variable Immunodeficiency” . http://cvi.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/15/4/607 Russell JE, Jolley KA, Feavers IM, Maiden MC, Suker J. “PorA variable regions of Neisseria meningitides.” http://www.ncbo.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15200858 Van de Beek, D., de Gans, J., McIntyre,P., Prasad, K. “Steroids in adults with acute bacterial meningitis: a systematic review” http://www.ncbi.nih.gov/pubmed/14998499
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a bacterium that is part of the Proteobacteria group in the Bacteria domain of the phylogenetic tree. The Proteobacteria group has five different groups, which are the Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Epsilonproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is part of the Betaproteobacteria group because it is a Gram-negative Bacteria and is most similar to other bacteria in that group. Betaproteobacteria are also known for their
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Introduction Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the obligate human pathogen that causes the sexually transmitted disease (STD) gonorrhea. This Gram-negative diplococci/gonococci does not infect other animals or experimental animals and does not survive freely in the environment. The gonococcal infection occurs in the upper or lower tract, pharynx, ophthalmic area, rectum, and bloodstream. During the 1980’s gonorrhea was also referred to as “the clap” when public awareness was quite
living with gonorrhea will also have a high chance of being infected with chlamydia and HIV. (1,2) The sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a gram-negative dipoloccus, and in this particular bacteria, this dipoloccus is called gonococcus.2 This bacteria is part of the Neisseria genus in the Neisseriaceae family.3 It is non-spore forming, non-motile, encapsulated, intracellular and oxidase positive.3 This bacterium also has a beta-lactamase ring
In today’s society the risk of being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease increases each year. Sexually transmitted diseases are affecting more of the younger generation, more people are having unprotected sex and more sex partners. They don’t realize the risk they 're putting themselves in, many people think that getting a sexually transmitted disease will never happen but they 're wrong. Gonorrhea is one a common sexually transmitted diseases that can be found in men and women. When a
of the membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. Neisseria Meningitidis can cause severe infectious bacterial meningitis in children and immune-compromised patients. Humans are the only reservoir of N. meningitidis, and it can easily spread through kissing, sneezing, coughing, direct contact or living in the same house. The symptoms may include fever, chills, stiff neck, and severe headache. About 30% of the population has N. meningitidis as normal flora in the nasopharyngeal area. However,
I was lead to Meningococcal meningitis which is a serious and potentially life threatening infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. The common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis are very similar of those five middle school children, high fever, stiff neck, confusion, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and purpuric rash. Most cases of Meningococcal meningitis occur in children
Throughout the diagnosis of meningitis, the physician checks the individual’s medical history and perform physical exams. For instance, the patient may go through a series of blood work, which the samples will be placed in a culture medium and analyzed for microbial growth. Also, gram-staining techniques can be used to identify the existence of specific parts on the bacterial body and locate its virulent factors. Alternatively, imaging exams such as computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance
Bacterial meningitis is life threatening disease that nearly 4,100 Americans are affected by each year. While most of those infected by the disease recover, permanent disabilities such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities can result from the infection. Furthermore, there are numerous types of bacteria that can cause meningitis. Often, the bacteria associated with bacterial meningitis is commonly found in another life altering illness, sepsis.1 The etiology, pathology, treatment
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The disease can be caused by a viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infection. Viral meningitis is the most common cause of this disease, yet it’s rarely fatal and can improve without the need of treatment. In the United States, bacterial meningitis continues to be a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment of meningitis can be the line between life and
disease is prevalent on college campuses within the resident halls; so much so that many colleges require those students that live on campus get a vaccine against it. Specifically I will look at bacterial meningitis cause by the agent Neisseria meningitidis. N. Meningitidis is found to also have humans as a reservoir. The portal of exit for the bacteria also happens to be respiratory droplets, discharge from the nose and throat. In the lab we receive many emergency room cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples
which includes bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, parasitic meningitis, fungal meningitis and non-infectious meningitis. • Bacterial meningitis: Bacterial meningitis can be a life-threatening infection, and is caused by bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These organisms are not as contagious as the common cold or flu, but they can spread through activities such as kissi... ... middle of paper ... ...nger immunity period and can be used in children. Currently