Bacterial Meningitis Research Paper

Bacterial meningitis is the swelling of the meninges. In the back of the brain, there are three protective membranes called the meninges (Mandal). During bacterial meningitis, bacteria invade the brain. This causes the immune system to enter and try to stop the disease (Mandal). In doing so, the meninges swell to stop the spread the virus, but this unfortunately causes damage to the brain and spinal area (Mandal). A person would get bacterial meningitis if their body was invaded by some of the germs that can cause it.

Meningitis and encephalitis are infections that affect the brain. The two differences between them is observed in the region of the brain they infect. Both infections cause inflammation and swelling of the brain and can trigger serious effects or even death.

9. The most common causes of bacterial meningitis in neonates are group B streptococci and Escherichia coli. The administration of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and the Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) vaccines have reduced the incidence of meningitis from these pathogens (Al Bekairy, Al Harbi, & Aikatheri, 2014 ).

Meningitis, also known as spinal meningitis, is a viral or bacterial infection causing inflammation of the membranes, called meninges. Meninges act as a natural protective barrier that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. When the barrier is permeable, infections are able to transmit a disease in or through and cause serious or even fatal effects. There are different causes for the different categories of meningitis resulting in different symptoms and severities in each.

Neisseria meningitidis is the bacterium that causes the disease Meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. This bacterium is described as being gram-negative with a diplococci structure, meaning that there is very little to no peptidoglycan in its cell wall and is made up of many spherical-shaped bacteria pushed against each other. Neisseria meningitidis is an immobile bacterium and is transferred between people through direct contact . It is also described as being an aerobic bacterium, meaning that it is capable of using oxygen for energy . (Samantha Bingen, 2008).

Meningitis is spread from person to person through saliva/spit often directly transmitted through kissing, coughing or extended contact with another person i.e. living in the same household.

Bacterial meningitis is the most common form of meningitis. Approximately 80% of all meningitis associated cases are bacterial, the disease is the critical reason for increasing morbidity rates in young children under the age group of one year. In the last 20 years (1991–2010) close to one million suspected meningitis cases were reported in the UK and in the US. [8] [5] The ‘meninges’ is the name for the three membranes that envelope the brain and cord (the central nervous system). Bacterial meningitis is caused by three different bacteria’s: Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, and the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. The bacteria spreads across the spinal cord and optic nerves, within the bacteria it 's fluid contents, the cerebrospinal fluid. The excessive manifestation of bacteria and their toxins within these areas, results in an inflammation of the cranial or spinal structures. This inflammation will consequence in severe damage to the nervous system and brain structures unless treated. Due to the nature of the meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid, an infection of any area of the system can rapidly spread to the rest of the system In this review I will discuss the epidemiology and pathogenesis of bacterial meningitis in young children and its subsequent clinical diagnosis of effective vaccines.[2]

Meningococcal Meningitis is the infection and inflammation of the meninges. Newborns and infants are at greatest risk for contracting bacterial meningitis with Neisseria meningitides being the typical pathogen in the majority of children age 2 months through 12 years (London, Ladewig, Ball, Bindler, & Cowen, 2011). There is a mortality rate of 10% for children who develop meningitis from this particular bacterium (Muller, 2013).

The definition of meningitis is any inflammation of the meninges or membranes of the central nervous system. This inflammation can be caused by any number of pathogens such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Bacteria is most commonly associated with the disease even though causative viruses can be more prevalent, but never discovered because the mildness of the symptoms. The study of meningitis dates back to the 1960's when the causative organisms were discovered and treatments were developed. Since then the mortality rate from bacterial meningitis has not changed much despite the introduction of new antibiotics and treatments (Hussein 360).

Meningitis is a contagious infection of the cerebrospinal fluid and inflammation of the meninges, the nearby membrane that covers the spinal cord and brain. Both the meninges and cerebrospinal fluid serve as protectors

Even one drop of nasal fluid can be enough to make another person ill if the drop of fluid makes contact. This disease is easily spread through direct and indirect contact, whether it is through kissing or sharing eating utensils. The easiest way to protect against meningitis is to stay away from infected people and not to share utensils or other personal objects with other people. Also, good hygiene is extremely

Meningitis is a severe condition in which the membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord become inflamed. Aseptic meningitis mostly occurs in infants and young children. Patient might feel ill but the feeling is milder than bacterial meningitis. In rare cases this disease leads to serious complications. 50% of all aseptic meningitis is caused by seasonal viruses, usually transmitted by cough, saliva or waste matter. Some of the viruses that cause meningitis are; chicken pox, HIV, mumps, herpes simplex, west Nile, rabies. Doctors may not be able to identify the specific virus which is responsible for the outbreak of this disease. Some other conditions such as Fungal Infection, Syphilis, Lyme disease,

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, membranes that surround the brain. This can extend as far as infecting the cerebral spinal fluid on top of causing the tissue to swell. Meningitis comes in two major forms; bacterially and virally. However, having bacterial meningitis is much more severe than viral meningitis. There is a lot more danger in having a bacterial infection within the brain than a viral infection within the brain. What makes bacterial meningitis so lethal is that “even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment is started, 5% to 10% of patients die, typically within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Left untreated, up to 50% of cases may die, (6) or there

Additionally, the proportion of cases among adolescents and young adults has increased in recent years; during the year from 1992 to 1996, twenty eight (28) percent are affected were between the age of 12 and 29, this changes of rates has important implications for preventive strategies. Furthermore, meningococcal meningitis can refer to any illness or compare to any illness that is caused by the type of bacteria that is called Neisseria meningitides that is also known as meningococcus, this illness/ disease are commonly severe and includes infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord that can cause meningitis and bloodstream infections that can cause either bacteremia or septicimea. Additionally, spreading through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions like spits are commonly cause meningococcus bacteria, for example are by living in close quarters, squatters, kissing, sharing of

Meningococcemia is caused by a gram negative bacteria which infects the bloodstream and the brain if severe enough, and is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium. There are two forms of this illness: Meningococcal Meningitis, which occurs when the meninges become infected and swell; and Meningococcal Septicemia, occurs when the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream causing damage to the blood vessels, causing internal bleeding. Septicemia is the more serious form. Individuals at risk include people in daycare, cellmates, housemates, and especially those with a compromised immune system. There are vaccination for this disease, and are recommended if you are immunocompromised or live in areas where it is common, like in Africa. This disease isn’t very common in the United States, but it is still prevalent so good hygiene and avoiding sick individuals is necessary to stay healthy. When someone is infected though, an early diagnosis is critical to their survival, for the mortality rate is high, and the progression of this disease is extremely rapid, some people may die within hours of contracting it. Even if the infected person does survive, the person may have very serious physical and mental complications due to hemorrhaging of the blood vessels and damaged brain tissue.