CD Alert

Meningococcal disease is an acute bacterial disease caused by meningococcus (Neisseria meningitidis), a gram negative capsulated coffee bean shaped bacteria seen usually in pairs. The disease was first described in 1805, when an outbreak occurred in Geneva, Switzerland and the causative organism was identified in 1887. The disease is manifested by sudden onset of fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck and frequently a petechial rash with pink macules and very rarely vesicles often accompanied by delirium and coma. Occasionally, fulminating cases exhibit severe sudden prostration, ecchymoses and shock at onset. A small proportion of the cases progress to invasive disease, characterized by one or more clinical syndromes including septicaemia. Joints may also be involved causing arthritis. Meningococcaemia may occur with or without meningitis. Residual neurological sequelae are seen in 10-15% of cases.