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What are the main treatments for Neisseria meningitidis infection?
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Third-generation cephalosporins and rifampin
What is the unique trait of Neisseria meningitidis in terms of its intracellular activity?
Facultative intracellular
Which sugars does Neisseria meningitidis ferment?
Maltose and glucose
What is the major disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis?
Community-acquired bacterial meningitis
What type of bacteria is Neisseria meningitidis?
Gram-negative diplococcus
Which mnemonic helps remember the bacteria risky for patients with asplenia?
"SHIN": S pneumoniae, H influenzae, N meningitidis
What are the classic symptoms of bacterial meningitis?
Fever, headache, photophobia, nuchal rigidity, altered mental status
What is the function of adhesins in Neisseria meningitidis?
Promote bacterial attachment and prevent activation of lymphocytes.
What does the IgA1 protease virulence factor do?
Cleaves mucosal IgA and enhances adherence to mucous membranes
What rare syndrome is associated with Neisseria meningitidis and involves hemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands?
Waterhouse-Friedrichsen syndrome
Describe Brudzinski's Sign.
Neck flexion causing reflexive hip flexion due to tension in the meninges.
How is Neisseria meningitidis transmitted?
Via respiratory droplets
What is the role of lipo-oligosaccharide endotoxin in Neisseria meningitidis infections?
Induces IL-1 and TNF-alpha, leading to overwhelming sepsis.
Describe Kernig's Sign.
Flexion at the thigh and extension at the knee causing pain or inability to extend, indicating a positive sign.
How does the opsonization process typically clear bacteria, and why is it compromised in patients without a spleen?
Bacteria are tagged with IgG or C3b and phagocytized by splenic macrophages. Without a spleen, this process is ineffective, leading to increased infection risk.
Why is the polysaccharide capsule an important virulence factor for Neisseria meningitidis?
It prevents phagocytosis and is associated with overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI).
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