meningococcemia
TRANSCRIPT
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 profileEtiologic 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 manifestationEarly 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) Vaccination
Although 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