Definition: A fulminant infection of the meninges and subarachnoid fluid by the bacterium NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS, producing diffuse inflammation and peri-meningeal venous thromboses. Clinical manifestations include FEVER, nuchal rigidity, SEIZURES, severe HEADACHE, petechial rash, stupor, focal neurologic deficits, HYDROCEPHALUS, and COMA. The organism is usually transmitted via nasopharyngeal secretions and is a leading cause of meningitis in children and young adults. Organisms from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W-135 have been reported to cause meningitis. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp689-701; Curr Opin Pediatr 1998 Feb;10(1):13-8)
do not coord with NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS unless organism is particularly discussed but coord with specific serogroup (IM) if given
ExamplesWaterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome
Other names Serogroup W 135, Meningococcal Meningitis; Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W 135; Meningococcal Meningitis; Serogroup Y, Meningococcal Meningitis; Serogroup W135, Meningococcal Meningitis; Serogroup W-135, Meningococcal Meningitis; Serogroup C Meningococcal Meningitis; Serogroup B Meningococcal Meningitis; Serogroup A Meningococcal Meningitis; Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup Y; Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W135; Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup W-135; Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup C; Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup B; Meningococcal Meningitis, Serogroup A; Meningitis, Meningococcic; Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup Y; Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup W135; Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup W-135; Meningitis, Meningococcal, Serogroup C
