Normal flora - humans are the reservoir
Quadrivalent vaccine prevents disease by serogroups A/C/W-135/Y
Two serogroup B vaccines available
May occur sporadically or in outbreaks.
Colonizer and cause of invasive disease:
Meningitis
Meningococcemia
Rarely:
Pneumonia
Septic arthritis
Pericarditis
Conjunctivitis
Others
Generally of little significance when cultured from nonsterile sites i.e. genital area, pharynx.
Droplet/contact Precautions until 24 hours of appropriate antibiotic therapy has been received
Close contacts may require chemoprophylaxis. Healthcare workers may require chemoprophylaxis if unprotected exposure to respiratory secretions
Invasive meningococcal disease is notifiable - call Public Health ASAP
A PCR test from the CSF is available if cultures are negative and infection is suspected. Please contact mircrobiology on call for this test if needed.
