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Meningitis for healthcare providers

Key points about meningitis

This page contains information about meningitis for healthcare providers.
Find information on clinical updates, clinical resources and CPD.

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	Resources
	Messaging for healthcare professionals on meningococcal disease (August 2019) There has been a significant increase in Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (MenW) in New Zealand since mid-2017. This particular strain of MenW affects all age groups and is associated with a high case-fatality rate. The Ministry of Health is requesting that healthcare professionals remain alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease as early intervention is essential. MenW can present with the classical signs of meningococcal disease but also atypically with gastro-intestinal symptoms, as well as pneumonia, septic arthritis, endocarditis or epi/supraglottitis. Antibiotics should be administered on suspicion of diagnosis. This includes treating the patient before transferring to hospital. Ceftriaxone is the preferred first-line treatment for all individuals. Read more: Messaging for healthcare professionals on meningococcal disease(external link).
	The following information is taken from a research review educational series. Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The most common manifestations are meningitis and septicaemia. Meningococcal disease has a case-fatality rate of up to 10% in developed countries, even with rapid treatment. The disease can easily be misdiagnosed and death can occur within 24 hours. All age groups are susceptible to meningococcal disease, however infants are much more likely to be infected compared with the general population. Up to 20% of survivors of meningococcal disease have permanent sequelae, including brain damage, hearing loss and limb amputation. At least 13 different strains of N. meningitidis have been identified, with serogroups A, B, C, X, W and Y most likely to cause disease. In New Zealand, group B strains are the most prevalent, although isolated outbreaks of groups A and C have occurred, and an increase in group W disease has recently been noted. Read more: Group B meningococcal disease in New Zealand(external link).

Resources

Messaging for healthcare professionals on meningococcal disease (August 2019)

There has been a significant increase in Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W (MenW) in New Zealand since mid-2017.
This particular strain of MenW affects all age groups and is associated with a high case-fatality rate.
The Ministry of Health is requesting that healthcare professionals remain alert to the symptoms of meningococcal disease as early intervention is essential.
MenW can present with the classical signs of meningococcal disease but also atypically with gastro-intestinal symptoms, as well as pneumonia, septic arthritis, endocarditis or epi/supraglottitis.
Antibiotics should be administered on suspicion of diagnosis. This includes treating the patient before transferring to hospital.
Ceftriaxone is the preferred first-line treatment for all individuals.

The following information is taken from a research review educational series.

Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The most common manifestations are meningitis and septicaemia.
Meningococcal disease has a case-fatality rate of up to 10% in developed countries, even with rapid treatment.
The disease can easily be misdiagnosed and death can occur within 24 hours.
All age groups are susceptible to meningococcal disease, however infants are much more likely to be infected compared with the general population.
Up to 20% of survivors of meningococcal disease have permanent sequelae, including brain damage, hearing loss and limb amputation.
At least 13 different strains of N. meningitidis have been identified, with serogroups A, B, C, X, W and Y most likely to cause disease.
In New Zealand, group B strains are the most prevalent, although isolated outbreaks of groups A and C have occurred, and an increase in group W disease has recently been noted.