The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an alert about a strain of Neisseria meningitidis causing bacterial infections, particularly meningococcal disease, which can be deadly. The CDC reported 422 cases in 2023 and 140 cases in 2024 so far, with a focus on adults aged 30 to 60, Black individuals, and those with HIV. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiff neck, and dark purple rash. The disease can progress rapidly and lead to severe complications, sometimes resulting in death or long-term effects like deafness or amputations.
Neisseria meningitidis, often referred to as the meningococcus, is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause meningitis and other forms of meningococcal disease such as meningococcemia, a life-threatening sepsis. The bacterium is referred to as a coccus because it is round, and more specifically a diplococcus because of its tendency to form pairs.About 10% of adults are carriers of the bacteria in their nasopharynx. As an exclusively human pathogen, it causes developmental impairment and death in about 10% of cases. It causes the only form of bacterial meningitis known to occur epidemically, mainly in Africa and Asia. It occurs worldwide in both epidemic and endemic form.N. meningitidis is spread through saliva and respiratory secretions during coughing, sneezing, kissing, chewing on toys and through sharing a source of fresh water. It has also been reported to be transmitted through oral sex and cause urethritis in men. It infects its host cells by sticking to them with long thin extensions called pili and the surface-exposed proteins Opa and Opc and has several virulence factors.
U.S. health officials have issued an alert about an increase in cases of invasive meningococcal disease, with 143 cases reported this year and 422 cases reported last year, most affecting adults aged 30 to 60, Black individuals, and those with HIV. The bacteria causing meningitis can also lead to bloodstream infections with severe symptoms. Quick antibiotic treatment is vital as 10% to 15% of infected individuals may die. Vaccines are available, recommended for children entering middle school, with a booster at age 16 and for high-risk individuals like those with HIV.
Neisseria flavescens was first isolated from cerebrospinal fluid in the midst of an epidemic meningitis outbreak in Chicago. These gram-negative, aerobic bacteria reside in the mucosal membranes of the upper respiratory tract, functioning as commensals. However, this species can also play a pathogenic role in immunocompromised and diabetic individuals. In rare cases, it has been linked to meningitis, pneumonia, empyema, endocarditis, and sepsis.
Neisseria lactamica is a gram-negative diplococcus bacterium. It is strictly a commensal species of the nasopharynx. Uniquely among the Neisseria they are able to produce β-D-galactosidase and ferment lactose.This species is most commonly carried by young children.There is an inverse relationship between colonisation by N. lactamica and Neisseria meningitidis.Carriage of N. lactamica has been associated with decreased incidence of invasive meningococcal disease. However, resistance to penicillin and other beta-lactams may be transmitted from commensal neisseriae such as Neisseria lactamica to disease causing Neisseria meningitidis by the process of genetic transformation.
Neisseria mucosa is a species of Neisseria.It is notable among Neisseria for its ability to metabolize sucrose. It can cause endocarditis. While N. mucosa is a rather rare cause of endocarditis, cases of N. mucosa endocarditis have been reported along with symptoms such as painful finger nodules, fever, headache, and tremors. In certain cases, patients can become terminal from this strain of the infection but for those that survive, treatment of N. mucosa endocarditis usually takes around 6 weeks.
Neisseria is a large genus of bacteria that colonize the mucosal surfaces of many animals. Of the 11 species that colonize humans, only two are pathogens, N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae.Neisseria species are Gram-negative bacteria included among the Pseudomonadota, a large group of Gram-negative forms. Neisseria diplococci resemble coffee beans when viewed microscopically.
Neisseria subflava is a common inhabitant found in the human upper respiratory tract. It is a gram-negative diplococcus. It produces a positive result of blue when put through the oxidase test. It is considered non-pathogenic, although in rare case it can be the causative agent of postoperative meningitis (after a neurological surgery), which is called surgical site infection (SSI).
Neisseria sicca is a commensal organism belonging to the genus Neisseria. It is Gram-negative and oxidase-positive. There are multiple strains of this species, some of which are reported to have caused septicaemia in immunocompromised patients. These bacteria are the first among Neisseria species to have been shown to have O-repeat structure in their liposaccharide.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, also known as gonococcus (singular) or gonococci (plural), is a species of Gram-negative diplococci bacteria isolated by Albert Neisser in 1879. It causes the sexually transmitted genitourinary infection gonorrhea as well as other forms of gonococcal disease including disseminated gonococcemia, septic arthritis, and gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum.It is oxidase positive and aerobic, and it survives phagocytosis and grows inside neutrophils. Culturing it requires carbon dioxide supplementation and enriched agar (chocolate agar) with various antibiotics (Thayer–Martin). It exhibits antigenic variation through genetic recombination of its pili and surface proteins that interact with the immune system.Sexual transmission is through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Sexual transmission may be prevented through the use of barrier protection. Perinatal transmission may occur during childbirth, and may be prevented by antibiotic treatment of the mother before birth and the application of antibiotic eye gel on the eyes of the newborn. After an episode of gonococcal infection, infected persons do not develop immunity to future infections. Reinfection is possible due to N. gonorrhoeae's ability to evade the immune system by varying its surface proteins.N. gonorrhoeae can cause infection of the genitals, throat, and eyes. Asymptomatic infection is common in males and females. Untreated infection may spread to the rest of the body (disseminated gonorrhea infection), especially the joints (septic arthritis). Untreated infection in women may cause pelvic inflammatory disease and possible infertility due to the resulting scarring. Diagnosis is through culture, Gram stain, or nucleic acid tests, such as polymerase chain reaction, of a urine sample, urethral swab, or cervical swab. Chlamydia co-testing and testing for other STIs is recommended due to high rates of co-infection.Antibiotic resistance in N. gonorrhoeae is a growing public health concern, especially given its propensity to develop resistance easily.
Neisseria flava (Latin: flava, yellow, golden) is a bacterium belonging to a group of species under the genus Neisseria that is considered non-pathogenic. Along with its other members of the non-pathogenic group, Neisseria flava is often found in the upper respiratory tract surface in humans. On rare occasions, it can cause rheumatic heart disease and ventricular septal defect aortic insufficiency.
Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any species of Legionella bacteria, quite often Legionella pneumophila. Signs and symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains, and headaches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. This often begins 2–10 days after exposure.A legionellosis is any disease caused by Legionella, including Legionnaires' disease (a pneumonia) and Pontiac fever (a related upper respiratory tract infection), but Legionnaires' disease is the most common, so mentions of legionellosis often refer to Legionnaires' disease.The bacterium is found naturally in fresh water. It can contaminate hot water tanks, hot tubs, and cooling towers of large air conditioners. It is usually spread by breathing in mist that contains the bacteria. It can also occur when contaminated water is aspirated. It typically does not spread directly between people, and most people who are exposed do not become infected. Risk factors for infection include older age, a history of smoking, chronic lung disease, and poor immune function. Those with severe pneumonia and those with pneumonia and a recent travel history should be tested for the disease. Diagnosis is by a urinary antigen test and sputum culture.No vaccine is available. Prevention depends on good maintenance of water systems. Treatment of Legionnaires' disease is with antibiotics. Recommended agents include fluoroquinolones, azithromycin, or doxycycline. Hospitalization is often required. The fatality rate is around 10% for healthy persons and 25% for those with underlying conditions.The number of cases that occur globally is not known. Legionnaires' disease is the cause of an estimated 2–9% of pneumonia cases that are acquired outside of a hospital. An estimated 8,000 to 18,000 cases a year in the United States require hospitalization. Outbreaks of disease account for a minority of cases. While it can occur any time of the year, it is more common in the summer and fall. The disease is named after the outbreak where it was first identified, at a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia.
Neisseria weaveri is a gram-negative bacterium associated with dog bite wounds. It is rod-shaped and non-motile with type strain M-5.The genome sequences of two strains (LMG 5135T and ATCC 51223T) were determined and deposited into GenBank (accession numbers AFWQ00000000 and AFWR00000000), respectively. Each genome was 2.1 Mb in size (excluding gaps) and had a G + C content of 49.0%. The genomic contents of the two N. weaveri strains were very similar, containing 2233 and 2099 predicted coding sequences (CDSs), respectively.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about a listeria outbreak in the US, connected to dairy products sold nationwide. The outbreak, caused by contaminated cheese, crema, and yogurt made by Rizo-Lopez Foods, has resulted in two deaths and 23 hospitalizations in 11 states. The CDC has urged people to dispose of any affected products, clean their refrigerators and surfaces, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms. Listeria infections can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death.
Measles cases in the US have risen, with 64 cases across 17 states, surpassing last year's total. Outbreaks in Chicago, southeast Florida, and Philadelphia contributed to the increase. Most cases are linked to international travel, primarily affecting unvaccinated children. The CDC warns of higher outbreak risks in communities with low vaccination coverage. Vaccination rates have fallen slightly in recent years. Measles symptoms include fever, rash, and possible severe complications. Before vaccination, thousands were hospitalized annually in the US due to measles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of 58 reported measles cases in 16 states in the U.S. so far this year, mostly among unvaccinated children aged 1 or older, with links to international travel. The CDC states that the current high population immunity reduces the risk of widespread spread, but pockets of low vaccination coverage pose a higher outbreak risk. Cases in at least three states were linked to visits to Florida, indicating early infections contributing to the virus uptick.
Brenda Goodman
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