meningococcemia

MENINGOCOCCEMIA

I. Definition Meningococcemia is the presence of

meningococcus in the bloodstream. It is an acute and potentially life-

threatening infection of the bloodstream that commonly leads to inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).

Occurs most commonly in children and young adults

II. Other names

Meningococcal septicemia

Meningococcal blood poisoning

Meningococcal bacteremia

III. Infectious agent’s profile

Etiologic agent: Neisseria meningitidis

Gram (-) bacteria

Frequently lives in a person's upper respiratory tract

Neisseria meningitidis

Incubation period:

2-10 days (ave. 3-4 days)

Mode of transmission:

Direct contact through respiratory droplets from nose and throat of infected persons.

Chain of Infection (Meningococcemia)

Neisseria meningitidis

Man

Man

Respiratory tract Respiratory Secretions

Direct contact

IV. Clinical manifestation

Early signs

- High grade fever for 1st 24 hours

- Weakness

- Joint and muscle pain

- Spotty red or purple rash (petechiae)

Later signs

- Widespread purpura and ecchymoses

- Meningeal irritation like: * Headache * Nausea and vomiting * Stiff neck

-Seizure / Convulsion

V. Diagnostic Examinations

(1) Blood culture

Is a microbiological culture of blood.

It is employed to detect infections that are spreading through the bloodstream 

Lumbar puncture(2) Complete Blood Count

(3) Lumbar punctureto obtain spinal fluid sample for CSF cultureFetal positionA spinal needle is inserted between the lumbar vertebraeL3/L4 or L4/L5

(4) Skin biopsy and gram stainA skin biopsy is a procedure in which a sample of skin tissue is removed, processed, and examined under a microscope.

(5) UrinalysisA urinalysis (or "UA") is an array of tests performed on urine and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis.

VI. Treatment

Antibiotics-Penicillin G-Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)-Cefotaxime (Claforan)-Trimethoprim / Sulfamethoxazole

(Bactrim, Septra)

VII. Prevention and Control

(1) Respiratory isolation of patients for the first 24 hours

(2) VaccinationAlthough a vaccine is available for meningococcus, it is still difficult to produce a vaccine for the type B organism

(3) Health education(4) Self-awareness