Meningitis, Meningococcal
Synonyms
Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup A
Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup B
Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup C
Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup W-135
Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup W135
Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup Y
Meningitis, Meningococcic
Meningococcal Meningitis
Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup A
Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup B
Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup C
Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W 135
Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W-135
Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W135
Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup Y
Serogroup A Meningococcal Meningitis
Serogroup B Meningococcal Meningitis
Serogroup C Meningococcal Meningitis
Serogroup W 135, Meningococcal Meningitis
Serogroup W-135, Meningococcal Meningitis
Serogroup W135, Meningococcal Meningitis
Serogroup Y, Meningococcal Meningitis
A fulminant infection of the meninges and subarachnoid fluid by the bacterium NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS, producing diffuse inflammation and peri-meningeal venous thromboses. Clinical manifestations include FEVER, nuchal rigidity, SEIZURES, severe HEADACHE, petechial rash, stupor, focal neurologic deficits, HYDROCEPHALUS, and COMA. The organism is usually transmitted via nasopharyngeal secretions and is a leading cause of meningitis in children and young adults. Organisms from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135 have been reported to cause meningitis. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp689-701; Curr Opin Pediatr 1998 Feb;10(1):13-8)