Meningococci are bacterial pathogens that are transmitted from person to person by droplet infection. The pathogens can cause serious illness – but there does not always have to be an outbreak of disease. The meningococcal bacteria that cause disease are medically classified under the group Neisseria meningitidis.
What are meningococci?
Meningococci are commonly found in the nasopharynx without posing an immediate threat. The bacteria have different capsular properties and are medically divided into twelve categories. The capsules surrounding the bacteria are tough and cannot be destroyed by the immune system. Throughout Germany, meningococcal pathogens of types B and C predominate – the bacterial microorganisms are subdivided into corresponding serogroups because they share common properties. Against type C, which is widespread in Germany, there are well-tolerated vaccines that can be administered from infancy and toddlerhood. Diseases caused by meningococci are notifiable according to the Infection Protection Act, which also applies to suspected cases. Notification to the public health department protects family contacts from an outbreak of infection, as the attending physician will prescribe a preventive meningococcal antibiotic.
Significance and function
Between infection and the onset of an infectious disease caused by meningococcus, 2 to 10 days may pass. Initially, affected individuals experience symptoms similar to a severe flu-like infection, such as chills, headache, dizziness, high sensitivity to light, or vomiting. However, one alarming sign, neck stiffness, indicates a serious illness, meningitis – also that the course of the disease then worsens considerably within a very short time. Since the course of the disease can be extremely severe, the mortality rate is also relatively high. Early detection of meningococcal disease is therefore important for a successful cure. Reliable protection is provided by both vaccines and antibiotics administered to close contacts of infected persons. Anyone who is affected by an infection caused by meningococci can contract both meningitis (inflammation of the brain) and sepsis (blood poisoning). Infants, young children and adolescents are particularly at risk of contracting meningococcal disease during the winter months and in spring. Carriers of the diseases can be people of all ages, as the pathogens can be present in the throat at times, but where they are usually kept in check by the body’s immune system. Why the pathogens, which do not pose a threat to most people, can lead to serious illness in individual cases has not yet been scientifically clarified. It is suspected that a weakened immune system can favor the outbreak of a disease caused by meningococci, which is why children under the age of 5 are also among the groups of people particularly at risk. Outside the human body, however, meningococci lose strength within a very short time.
Diseases
Once meningococci cause one of two diseases, sepsis and meningitis, it can lead to serious courses. Meningococcal meningitis occurs less frequently than viral meningococcal meningitis – the bacterial pathogens, on the other hand, are much more dangerous, which is why this form of meningitis is also immediately classified as an emergency. Immediate treatment by a physician with the appropriate therapy is crucial for a quick recovery of the patient. In babies and young children, meningococcal disease can be recognized by apathy, pallor, loss of appetite, vomiting, protrusion of the fontanel, fever, irritability, and crying or whimpering. Pinpoint, reddish skin hemorrhages may also be among the outward signs of meningitis. If a single outbreak of meningitis occurs, kindergarten or school operations can continue without closure because, again, preventive treatment with antibiotics protects persons with immediate contact. Symptoms of sepsis can occur simultaneously with meningitis, which can lead to severe, septic shock.This course of the disease is medically referred to as Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome, which can be recognized in affected individuals at an early stage by a characteristic skin rash. Blood blisters, which can form on the feet and hands, are also among the external symptoms of sepsis triggered by meningococci.
