Meningococcemia medical therapy

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]; Ammu Susheela, M.D. [4]

Overview

Meningococcemia is a medical emergency. Breathing support, fluid resucitation, antibiotics like cephalosporin and wound care are the major aspects of treatment.

Medical Therapy

Meningococcemia is a medical emergency. Persons with this type of infection are often admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital, where they are closely monitored. The person may be placed in respiratory isolation for the first 24 hours to help prevent the spread of the infection to others. Treatments may include:

• Antibiotics given through a vein (IV), given immediately
• Breathing support
• Clotting factors or platelet replacement -- if bleeding disorders develop
• Fluids through a vein (IV)
• Medications to treat low blood pressure
• Wound care for areas of skin with blood clots.
• Meningococcal disease can be treated with a number of effective antibiotics.
• It is important that treatment be started as soon as possible. If meningococcal disease is suspected, antibiotics are given right away. Antibiotic treatment should reduce the risk of dying, but sometimes the infection has caused too much damage to the body for antibiotics to prevent death or serious long-term problems.
• Even with antibiotic treatment, people die in about 10-15% of cases. About 11-19% of survivors will have long-term disabilities, such as loss of limb(s), deafness, nervous system problems, or brain damage.
• Depending on how serious the infection is, other treatments may also be necessary. These can include such things as breathing support, medications to treat low blood pressure, and wound care for parts of the body with damaged skin.

Pharmacotherapy

▸ Click on the following categories to expand treatment regimens.

N. meningitidis   ▸  Penicillin MIC <0.1 μg/mL   ▸  Penicillin MIC ≥0.1 μg/mL Penicillin MIC <0.1 μg/mL Preferred Regimen ▸ Penicillin G 4 MU IV q4h OR ▸ Ampicillin 2 g IV q4h Alternative Regimen ▸ Cefotaxime 2 g IV q4—6h OR ▸ Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q12h OR ▸ Chloramphenicol 1—1.5 g IV q6h Penicillin MIC ≥0.1 μg/mL Preferred Regimen ▸ Cefotaxime 2 g IV q4—6h OR ▸ Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q12h Alternative Regimen ▸ Cefepime 2 g IV q8h OR ▸ Chloramphenicol 1—1.5 g IV q6h OR ▸ Moxifloxacin 400 mg IV q24h OR ▸ Meropenem 2 g IV q8h The duration of therapy should be 7 days. However, the duration of antimicrobial therapy should be individualized in accordance with patient's clinical response. Evidences for beneficial effects of dexamethasone are variable. In some studies, adjunctive use of dexamethasone for bacterial meningitis in selected groups are associated with an improved survival or prognosis. However, other studies fail to demonstrate a substantial reduction of death or neurological disability. The occurrence of delayed cerebral thrombosis with dexamethasone therapy has been reported. Dexamethasone should not be given to patients who have already received animicrobial therapy because it is unlikely to improve clinical outcome. References