Meningitis

• The Disease
  • Types
    • Bacterial meningitis
      • Meningococcal
      • Pneumococcal
      • Hib
      • Group B Streptococcus
      • Tuberculosis Meningitis
      • E.coli
      • Listeria
      • Staphylococcal
    • Viral meningitis
    • Other Forms
  • Personal stories
  • Symptoms
  • After effects
  • Facts and figures
  • Surveillance
  • FAQs
  • Medical Glossary
• The Research
• Help & Advice
• Education

Meningococcal

Meningococcal infection is caused by the meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis).

Meningococcal infection is most prevalent in children under the age of five and young adults aged 14-24. The bacteria normally live harmlessly at the back of the nose and throat and can be found in around 10% of the population at any one time. The bacteria can only be passed from person to person in nasal or oral droplets, for example by kissing or sneezing and even when passed on, are usually unlikely to cause problems, as most people have a natural resistance to the bacteria.

However, in some cases, the bacteria go beyond colonisation, and cross into the bloodstream to cause serious disease. The bacteria can cause two distinct forms of disease - meningococcal meningitis (infection of the meninges/spinal cord) and meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning). They may occur separately or together. Of the two forms, meningococcal septicaemia is the most dangerous.

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Meningococcal bacteria grow in pairs called diplococci often surrounded by a capsule coat. Over a million of these would fit on the head of a pin.

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Meningococcal meningitis is the most common form of bacterial meningitis in the UK. Approximately 5% of people who suffer from meningococcal meningitis will die.  

Meningococcal septicaemia occurs when the meningococcal bacteria enter the blood stream and multiply uncontrollably, poisoning the blood and completely overwhelming the immune system damaging the blood vessels, tissues and organs.

Approximately 20% of cases will result in death rising to over 50% if the patient develops septic shock prior to receiving medical care.

When meningococcal septicaemia strikes, causing the blood vessels to haemorrhage, the blood circulation does not reach the extremities of the body, ie. hands and feet. In extreme cases, where there is irreversible damage, the only way to save lives is to amputate limbs.

You can check to see if the rash might be caused by meningococcal septicaemia by carrying out the 'Tumbler Test'

Meningococcal bacteria come in different forms called serogroups which have different capsule coats surrounding them and cause different strains of the disease. There are more than 13 known serogroups of meningococcal bacteria. In 1999, a vaccine was introduced into the routine immunisation schedule in the UK to protect against meningococcal group C. Other serogroups which cause disease include A, Y and W135. Meningitis A is rare in the UK . However, it has caused a large number of deaths in some parts of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa where it has reached epidemic proportions.

There is still no vaccine for the most common form in the UK - meningococcal group B. Meningitis UK's researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine against meningococcal group B. In the future, scientists also hope to develop a successful 'cross-protective' vaccine that will protect against all serogroups.