Meningococcal septicaemia (Meningococcemia, Meningococcal bacteremia)

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What is Meningococcal septicaemia?

Meningococcal septicaemia is an acute (sudden onset) infection of the bloodstream and subsequent vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) with the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. 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.

Who gets Meningococcal septicaemia?

The disease is carried asmptomatically in 5-20% of the population. It is found worldwide in 5 major serogroups. Group A meningococcus causes epidemic disease in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. Groups Y and W also cause epidemic infection. Groups B and C tend to cause sporadic infection in Europe and North America.

Predisposing Factors

The disease only occurs in a small percentage of those colonised. It depends on both host and bacterial factors and is more likely folllowing viral upper respiratory infections.