Chapter 26, Problem 1SA

Summary Introduction

To review:

The sign that differentiates pneumococcal meningitis from meningococcal meningitis.

Introduction:

Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the organism Neisseria meningitides, which is a Gram-negative, diplococcus, and encapsulated bacteria. The infection caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae leads to sinusitis, otitis media, or pneumonia, which may lead to the development of pneumococcal meningitis. Both the species of organisms mentioned are one of the most common species’ that causes meningitis.

Explanation of Solution

The pneumococcal meningitis is caused by the Streptococcus pneumonia, which is usually a part of the normal microbiota of the nasopharynx and throat. This disease usually initiates like a mild cold. This is then followed by a sudden severe headache. On the other hand, the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis begin appearing after 1–7 days. The symptoms of both the diseases are similar except that meningococcal meningitis includes purplish spots on the skin surface of the affected individual.

The purplish spots produced as the symptom of meningococcal disease are called petechiae. These are caused because of the bleeding beneath the skin surface, which results from the capillary damage. The capillary damage is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which is a causative organism of the disease.

It is important to distinguish the two diseases because meningococcal meningitidis is difficult to eliminate comparatively. This is because the causative agent of this disease which is Neisseria meningitidis is a part of the normal respiratory tract.

Conclusion

Therefore, the presence of petechiae (purplish spots) in the meningococcal meningitidis is the sign that distinguishes it from pneumococcal meningitidis.