Epireview : Meningococcal disease in New South Wales,1991–2002
David Hogan and Jeremy McAnulty
Abstract
Meningococcal disease is caused by invasive infection
with the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. Humans are the
only natural reservoir for N. meningitidis, 5–10 per cent
of whom have naso-pharangeal colonisation of the bacteria
at any given time. The bacteria are transmitted between
people by secretions from the naso-pharynx. Disease
occurs in rare instances when a virulent strain of the
bacteria invades through the naso-pharynx. Disease can
present in a variety of syndromes, usually meningitis
and/or septicaemia, and more uncommonly pneumonia,
otitis media, septic arthritis, urethritis, and purulent
pericarditis.
New South Wales Public Health Bulletin 15(4) 39 - 43 (2004) doi:10.1071/NB04011





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