Meningococcemia pathophysiology
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Meningococcemia Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Meningococcemia pathophysiology On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Meningococcemia pathophysiology |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Meningococcemia pathophysiology |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
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.