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http://www.cdc.gov/bam/diseases/immune/db/meningitis.html
Virulence factors: polysaccharide capsule and fimbriae that aid the bacteria in attaching to the nasopharynx.
Others: lipopolysaccharides in the cell wall that act as endotoxins.
The bacteria can remain in the nasopharynx for weeks or months without causing illness.
Once it crosses the mucous membrane and enters the bloodstream, it multiplies, doubling every 30 min. WBCs work to engulf the bacteria but they are no match.
Classic symptoms: sudden onset of fever, headaches, stiff neck, photophobia.
Additional symptoms: nausea, vomiting, a rash, and a confused mental state.
Symptoms in newborns and infants may or may not be noticeable. Look at the fontanel (soft spot on forehead) for bulging. Observe if reflexes are abnormal.
Late in the progression symptoms can be seizures or coma, even death.
The Central Nervous System (an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and the Circulatory System (Septicemia) are body systems affected by the bacteria.
Neisseria meningitidis is found in the nose and throat.
About 8 - 10% of humans carry it as normal flora but it usually is harmless because most of us have natural resistance.
It may then be grown on a blood agar or chocolate agar plate.
Grow for 18 - 24 hours. Likes 37 Celsius with 5% CO2 levels in chamber.
It is gram negative, aerobic, fastidious bacterium.
Optimal pH is 7.0
This bacteria targets the weak. High occurrence in children younger than 1 year old. But, meningococcus adds a twist, also striking healthy people who live close together, like college students in dormitories.