Meningococcal septicemia
Key points
- Meningococcemia is an acute (sudden onset) infection of the bloodstream and subsequent vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.
- Neisseria meningitidis frequently lives in the upper respiratory tract with no evidence of illness.
- Treatment Patients are often admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.
- Calling your health care provider Call your health care provider immediately or go to the emergency room if your child has symptoms suggestive of meningococcemia.
Alternative names
Meningococcemia; Meningococcal blood poisoning; Meningococcal bacteremia or bacterial in the blood
Definition
Meningococcemia is an acute (sudden onset) infection of the bloodstream and subsequent vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Neisseria meningitidis frequently lives in the upper respiratory tract with no evidence of illness. Some event is thought to trigger the onset of aggressive behavior of the organism and sporadic cases of meningococcemia and meningococcal meningitis appear.
Family members and those closely exposed to an infected individual are at increased risk. The infection occurs more frequently in winter and early spring. It is transmitted from person-to-person by respiratory droplets.
Symptoms
Symptoms may be very few at first, and can include:
- Fever
- Petechial (spotty red or purple) rash
- Irritability
- Appears anxious
Later symptoms and signs can include:
- Appears acutely ill
- Changing level of consciousness
- Shock
- Large areas of hemorrhage and/or thrombosis under the skin
Signs and tests
- CBC with differential
- Blood culture
- Gram stain of positive culture
- Skin biopsy and Gram stain
- Urinalysis
- Clotting studies (PT, PTT)
Treatment
Patients are often admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital. Intensive monitoring and treatment are needed.
Supportive measures for shock include:
- IV fluids
- Ventilatory support
- Medical support of blood pressure
Medications include intravenous (IV) antibiotics to eliminate the infection, and high doses of corticosteroids for shock (must be given early). Clotting factors or platelet replacement may be needed if bleeding disorders develop.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
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