Meningococcal Sepsis

Meningococcal Sepsis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate meningococcal sepsis: Leading symptoms Nausea (nausea), vomiting. High fever Meningeal signs such as meningismus (painful neck stiffness). Central cyanosis – bluish discoloration of the skin and central mucous membranes/tongue in the absence of oxygen. Rapid circulatory failure Coma Rapid-onset skin hemorrhages in Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome such as: Petechiae (pinpoint … Meningococcal Sepsis: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Meningococcal Sepsis: Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) Meningococcal sepsis occurs in approximately one percent of all meningococcal infections caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci of types A, B, C, Y, and W). The bacterium releases endotoxins (decay products of bacteria) during its decay, which then lead to the septic course (“poisoning”). Transmission occurs from person to person … Meningococcal Sepsis: Causes

Meningococcal Sepsis: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by meningococcal sepsis: Amputation (severance) of a body part(s), unspecified. Multi-organ failure (MODS, Multi organ dysfunction syndrome; MOF: Multi organ failure) -simultaneous or sequential failure or severe functional impairment of various vital organ systems of the body.

Meningococcal Sepsis: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: Assessment of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Score (GCS). General physical examination-including blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, cyanosis (purplish to bluish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, lips, and fingernails), level of consciousness, organ-related symptoms, or focus search (focal search) … Meningococcal Sepsis: Examination

Meningococcal Sepsis: Test and Diagnosis

1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein) and PCT (procalcitonin). Fasting glucose (fasting blood glucose). Blood gas analysis (BGA) Thyroid parameters – TSH Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT, GGT). Renal parameters – … Meningococcal Sepsis: Test and Diagnosis

Meningococcal Sepsis: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic targets Elimination of the pathogens Prevention of multiple organ failure Therapy recommendations If clinical suspicion is well-founded, start antibiosis (antibiotic therapy) immediately (penicillin G; first-line agent) Penicillin G does not lead to eradication of germs (“germ elimination“) in the nasopharynx (nasopharynx). Patients treated exclusively with this antibiotic should be treated supplementally with rifampicin (antibiotic … Meningococcal Sepsis: Drug Therapy

Meningococcal Sepsis: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle). X-ray of the thorax (X-ray thorax/chest), in two planes. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen (abdominal CT) – for further diagnosis. Computed tomography of the skull (cranial CT, … Meningococcal Sepsis: Diagnostic Tests

Meningococcal Sepsis: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of meningococcal sepsis. Family history What is the current health status of your family members? Social anamnesis Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Have you noticed nausea/vomiting and/or high fever?* Have you noticed painful neck stiffness?* Do you feel seriously ill? … Meningococcal Sepsis: Medical History

Meningococcal Sepsis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Blood, blood-forming organs-immune system (D50-D90). Purpura Schönlein-Henoch (synonyms: Purpura anaphylactoides; Purpura anaphylactoides, Vasculitis allergica) – usually uncomplicated, immunologically mediated vasculitis (inflammation of small blood vessels) with generalized petechial hemorrhages (pinhead-sized hemorrhages), colicky abdominal pain, inflammation of knee and ankle joints, kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome to terminal renal failure) that occur after infections or from ingestion … Meningococcal Sepsis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis