The Causes Of Bacterial Meningitis Worldwide

In fact, a specific region of Africa has been dubbed the meningitis belt. Those living in this sub-Saharan region stretching from Senegal to Gambia are at risk for the lethal epidemics that ravage the land during most dry seasons ("PATH."). Bacterial meningitis works in a very specific way, with quite a few symptoms; however, adequate treatments and vaccines have been developed.

Africa has the highest incidence of meningococcal disease, tuberculosis, and malaria because of overcrowding in many villages. There is an area in sub-Saharan Africa called the Meningitis Belt that stretches from Senegal to Ethiopia with over 20,000 reported cases and 2,000 deaths every year (Healthgrades editorial staff, 2015). During the dry season in Africa, from December through June, meningitis epidemics occur with the three major areas infected being Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Chad. The most recent outbreak of the meningococcal disease reported in the United States occurred as meningitis in the dorms at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Princeton University in New Jersey in December of 2013 (Doheny, 2013). When the outbreak occurred at these two universities it was caused from serotype B of the disease and resulted in one death. Since the current meningococcal vaccine does not cover the serotype B bacteria the FDA allowed the use of a special vaccine from New Zealand to treat the outbreaks (Burrell, 2015). One in five US teens have not had their first recommended dose of meningococcal vaccine and for those who have had the first dose of the vaccine,

Meningitis is an infectious disease that can be found within the indigenous Australian community. Incidence and prevalence, when regarding an infectious agent or disease, utilizes measurements to determine new cases and existing cases of a disease process or infectious condition. Mathematical equations are utilized in order to determine and compare the survival or recovery, and duration of diseases ( Stanhope & Lancaster, 2011).The incidence and prevalence of meningitis in the indigenous Australian people, is higher in the rural areas then in the larger regions of Australia due to lack of access to vaccinations, and compliance with treatment. As noted via the meningococcal Australia INC

Only a minority of carried meningococci are harmful. Infection is caused when the bacteria, for reasons that are not currently understood, move from the back of the throat into the bloodstream and multiply rapidly. Once in the bloodstream, these bacteria can cause septicaemia and, in many cases, infect the meninges and cause

Bacterial Meningitis affects the nervous system by causing inflammation of a trio of membranes known as the Meninges that are situated around the brain and spinal cord. It 's a disease that is slowly but surely being defeated worldwide with mortality rates falling from 464,000 deaths in 1990 to 303,000 in 2013[3]. Common symptoms throughout the period of an infection include; headaches, vomiting, fever, neck stiffness and an altered mental state. The severity of symptoms can depend on the species of bacteria that caused the infection. Due to recent medical advancements the rates of mortality have fallen considerably in the developed world, however meningitis is still prevalent in less economically developed countries. In this document I will be describing the various inner workings of the disease, but more specifically, it 's pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and preventative methods, furthermore I shall also be focusing more on the prevalence of the disease in the UK, as opposed to other locations. [1]

Rouphael N, Stephens S (2015, March 4) Neisseria meningitidis: Biology, Microbiology and Epidemiology Retrieved from

It is the one the biggest challenges a child is taking on in their young adult life. They just graduated high school, and now they are moving into a college dormitory. They are taking a big step in their life; working for a bachelor’s degree in their highest interest. The doctor and the university is persistent in making sure the child has all their vaccinations. One major vaccination is the Meningococcal Meningitis shot. Meningitis takes a major toll on young adults, especially in the college setting. The last thing anyone wants to hear, is their child has died from Meningitis. Especially when there is a simple vaccination the child can obtained. Not to mention most universities, if not all, require the vaccine. Meningitis has

There are thirteen serogroup classifications of Neisseria meningitidis that fall under the genus Neisseria which are closely related to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Of the thirteen serogroups - A, B, C, D, 29E, H, I K, L, W-135, X, Y, and Z only three genetic strains have been sequenced: Z2491 from serogroup A, MC58 from serogroup B and FAM18 from serogroup C and all three of those strains contain a single circular chromosome that has a GC pair content of 51%. Several strains of this bacteria contain pili which enhances their pathogenicity giving them the purpose to adhere to surfaces, move, and transform their genetics. N. meningitidis are aerobic bacteria containing high catalase and oxidase activity. The reason for a high catalase allows them to compensate for oxidative damage in a low-pressure oxygen environment for their lack of a superoxide dismutase enzyme. Neisseria meningitidis is characterized as a parasitic, aerobic, gram-negative diplococcus that is non-endospore with a niche in the human nasopharyngeal. Its genetics consists of a surface polysaccharide capsule. In addition, their morphological colonies tend to appear smooth, moist and gleaming. The bacterium can produce gamma-glutamylamino-peptidase and typically grow on plates with

N. meningitides bacterium responsible for outbreaks in densely populated areas such as childcare centers, boarding schools, or college living areas (Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle, & Cheever, 2010). These outbreaks are most common in winter and spring months when risk factors like upper respiratory infections are more likely (Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle, & Cheever, 2010). Immunosuppression must be present for this pathogen to invade. Other risk factors for meningitis are otitis media (middle ear infection), mastoiditis (mastoid bone infection) (Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle, & Cheever, 2010), systemic sepsis, sinusitis (sinus infection), basilar skull fractures, and the very young and the very old (Porth & Matfin, 2009).

Meningococcal Meningitis is a dangerous bacterial infection that has taken the lives of many people since it has been discovered. This particular form of meningitis can be detected by symptoms that someone experiences and can also sometimes be treated. There are now methods of prevention in order to try to avoid outbreaks from occurring. This blood borne pathogen is extremely dangerous and can greatly damage someone’s life.

The causes of meningitis vary depending on a persons age group. For newborns the causes are Group B listeria, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. For infants and children the causes are Streptococcus pneumonia, Neisseria meningitides, and Haemophilus influenza type B. The causes for adults are Nesseria meningitides, Streptococcus pneumonia, and Listeria monocytogenes. The incubation period for this disease is two to ten days. Their are many different types of meningitis such as bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, and non-

Depending on the severity of infection, bacterial meningitis may get better on its own. However, in severe cases it may be treated with antibiotics and steroids. Supportive care includes oxygen therapy and hospitalization. Early treatment is imperative to reduce the chances of

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a gram-positive, and is part of human natural flora. This is an opportunistic pathogen, and needs a compromise immune system to develop and thrive. Neonatal meningitis is one of many bacterial infection caused by S. epidermidis. This infection is very serious in infants, Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges and is more common in the neonatal period. Major systems include temperature instability, respiratory distress, jaundice, apnea. More specifically is paradoxical irritability, in which cuddling and consoling by a parent irritates rather than comforts the neonate. Without proper treatment the mortality rate for this disease is almost 100%, however with proper treatment the mortality rate is lower to

In 1906 it was first discovered that horses were a viable source to make antibodies that could be used against the meningococcal bacteria. This was then further looked into and made more progress by an American scientist by the name of Simon Flexner. Flexner’s further development of the antibodies from the horses aided in the attempt to lower the mortality rate from the meningococcal disease. (1) The first reported case of using penicillin against meningitis and effectively working was not until over forty years later. Georg Joachmann, in Germany, and Flexner, in America, were the firsts to successfully treat meningitis with introduction of the serum therapy for meningococcal meningitis.

Meningococcal disease is a large concern in the medical field because it is unbiased towards the patients it infects. There has been limited success in trying to eliminate this disease. Antibiotics play a role in helping to treat patients with bacterial meningitis, and steroids have been tested to help reduce risk factors. Prevention has also become a key issue because meningitis can only be spread through direct contact with infected body fluid. The best prevention is to maintain clean hygiene. Vaccines are another way of preventing disease. However, there are multiple serogroups of meningitis that makes creating a universal vaccine extremely difficult. So far, there have only been two