Up-to-Date Review of Meningococcal Meningitis: Global Challenges and Recommendations

Abstract

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is warning about a new outbreak of meningococcal meningitis among gay, bisexual, and other men that have sex with men (MSM) due to multiple cases reported in Florida. Meningococcal meningitis (MM) is a bacterial infection often spread by direct contact or through respiratory droplet dissemination from an infected person to a host. Meningitis can cause a wide range of complications, from thrombosis to cerebral edema or even septic shocks as the bacteria thrive on colonizing the submucosa of blood vessels adjacent to inflamed meninges. The CDC urged MSM to immediately take the MenACWY vaccine. 200 years ago, several outbreaks have been recorded of the disease throughout history, the first being in Africa in the 1840s. The world cannot afford more outbreaks and serious measures should be taken to contend with and contain such potential threats. In this review, we aim to provide an updated investigation of the bacterial infection relevant to the current global health status and a revision on what governments, policymakers, health providers, and individuals should do to prevent the further spread of this fatal disease.

The meningitis outbreak returns to Niger: Concern, efforts, challenges, and recommendations

“…Health care professionals and laboratories should be informed of any prospective meningococcal outbreaks, urged to look for any symptoms, and instructed to report any cases as soon as possible. The CDC recommended that case referral and additional confirmatory tests be performed if the disease is suspected while the lab results are negative 11 …”

“…For example, when two people have personal contact, such as while sharing a drink or kissing, transmission typically occurs through saliva. A human case or carrier, incubator touch, convalescent carrier, or throat carrier could all be the source of infection 11 …”

“…Increased opening pressure (>180 mm water), WBCs between 10 and 10,000 cells/L (mostly neutrophils), and low glucose concentration (45 mg/dL) are CSF analytical indicators of meningitis. Furthermore, other gold standard techniques for the diagnosis of meningitis include PCR and culture 11 …”

“…A human case or carrier, incubator touch, convalescent carrier, or throat carrier could all be the source of infection. 11 …”

“…A human case or carrier, incubator touch, convalescent carrier, or throat carrier could all be the source of infection. 11 Investigations, a clinical exam, and the patient's medical history are all used to make the diagnosis of meningitis. The Brudzinski sign and the Kernig sign are clinical signs that are strongly indicative of meningitis in the patient.…”