Infectious disease expert highlights rising serogroup Y meningococcal infections

Cases of meningococcal disease are rising, with an increasing number of serogroup Y infections in adults, Medscape reported on October 13. Tina Q. Tan, an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, reviewed treatment and prevention strategies for the bacterial infection. [1]

Meningococcal disease is a rare but life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, according to Medscape and Wikipedia. The infection typically presents as rapidly progressive meningitis, meningococcal septicemia, or a combination of both conditions. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and a non-blanching purple rash. [1][2]

According to Medscape, the case-fatality rate for invasive meningococcal disease remains between 10 percent and 15 percent even with antimicrobial treatment. Wikipedia notes that the mortality rate reaches 80 percent if the infection is left untreated. As the infection progresses, septic shock can cause gangrene and organ failure. [1][2]

Up to 20 percent of survivors experience severe long-term complications, Medscape reported. These sequelae include physical, neurological, psychological, and functional issues. Medscape noted that the disease is largely preventable through vaccination against serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y. [1]