Abstract

Abstract --Meningococcal disease is a serious, potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitides. The peak incidence of meningococcal disease occurs in the first year of life following the loss of maternal antibodies. Although most common in children, meningococcal disease also affects adults. The disease most commonly is expressed as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord or meningococcemia, a presence of bacteria in the blood. Neisseria meningitides has become the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in older children and young adults in the United States. Meningococcal disease strikes about 3,000 Americans each year and the case-fatality ratio is between 10 and 15 percent. Of patients recovered, 10 to 15 percent have permanent brain damage, mental retardation, hearing loss, learning disability, limb amputation or renal failure. Rapid initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy results in significant decrease in mortality rates. Prevention of meningococcal disease can be made by the use of antibiotics for certain exposed persons and by immunization. A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine provides protection against Neisseria meningitides serogrouop A, C, Y and W-135. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines can provide immunization for children young than two years of age.