Meningococcal disease 3868809 209906037 2008-05-03T14:17:26Z Davidruben 101637 add (a very crude) leadin rare than immediate discussion of just septicaemia {{Citations missing|date=March 2008}} {{Infobox_Disease | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Image = Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman Meningicoccal Disease.jpg | Caption = [[Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman]], one of the youngest survivors of the disease. The infected arms had to be amputated later. | DiseasesDB = 8847 | ICD10 = {{ICD10|A|39||a|30}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|036.9}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = 000608 | MedlinePlus_mult= meningitis. {{MedlinePlus2|001349}} septicemia | eMedicineSubj = | eMedicineTopic = | MeshID = }} '''Meningococcal disease''' describes infections caused by ''[[Neisseria meningitidis]]'' (also termed meningococcus) and carries a high mortality rate if untreated. Whilst best known as a cause of [[meningitis]], wide spread blood infection ([[septicemia]]) is more damaging and dangerous. ==Types of infection== ===Septicemia=== Meningococcal septicemia, like many [[gram-negative]] blood infections, can cause [[disseminated intravascular coagulation]] (DIC), a condition where blood starts to clot throughout the body, sometimes causing ischemic tissue damage. DIC also causes bleeding, when the clotting factors are used up, causing the characteristic purpuric rash. ===Meningitis=== Meningococcal meningitis is a consequence of bacteria entering the [[cerebrospinal fluid]] (CSF) and irritating the [[meninges]] - the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord. ==Prevention== The most important form of prevention is a vaccine against ''Neisseria meningitidis''. Different countries have different strains of the bacteria and therefore use different vaccines. Five serogroups, A, B, C, Y and W135 are responsible for virtually all cases of the disease in humans. Vaccines are currently available against four of the five strains, and a vaccine against the B strain is in development. [[Menactra]] and [[Menomune]] are two commonly used vaccines. Unfortunately, there is currently no evidence that any of the current vaccines offer significant protection beyond three years. Additionally, basic [[hygiene]] measures, such as handwashing and not sharing drinking cups, can reduce the incidence of infection by limiting exposure. When a case is confirmed, all close contacts with the infected person can be offered [[antibiotics]] to reduce the likelihood of the infection spreading to other people. ==See also== * [[Endocarditis]] * [[Meningitis]] * [[Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome]] ==External links== * {{FPnotebook|NEU148}} * {{DermAtlas|-1886809878}} * [http://www.meningococcal.com.au www.meningococcal.com.au] {{Bacterial diseases}} [[Category:Bacterial diseases]] [[Category:Diseases]] [[es:Meningococcemia]]