Meningococcemia

Alternative names:

meningococcal septicemia

Definition:

An acute generalized infection of the bloodstream and subsequent vasculitis with the organism Neisseria meningitidis.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Neisseria meningitidis occurs frequently in the respiratory tract with no evidence of illness. Some event is thought to trigger the aggressive behavior of the organism and sporadic cases of Meningococcemia and Meningococcal meningitis appear. Family members and those closely exposed to an infected individual are at increased risk. The estimated annual incidence in the U.S. is about 1 out of 100,000 people. The infection occurs more frequently in winter and early spring and is most common in children under 5 years old. It is transmitted from person to person by droplet spread.