Meningococcemia pathophysiology


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:

Pathophysiology

 * Transmission through respiratory secretions from a nasopharyngeal carrier case-patient.
 * Shock is due to lipooligosaccharide which is a potent toxin. This toxin initiates release of inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen radicals, prostaglandins, arachidonic acid, complement activated products, platelet aggregating factor, and perhaps nitric oxide.

Molecular Biology

 * The polysaccharide capsule is the basis of the serogroup typing system.
 * 13 Serotypes are described based on capsular polysaccharide: A, B, C, D, X, Y, Z, E, W-135, H, I, K, and L.
 * Serogroup A usually with epidemics in less developed nations and an attack rate of as high as 500 cases per 100,000 population.
 * Serogroup B usually in developed nations with attack rate of 50-100 cases per 100,000 population.
 * Serogroup C usually in both developed and less developed populations and an attack rate of up to 500 per 100,000 population.