Severe Meningococcal Infections in Children and Adolescents

Title: Severe Meningococcal Infections in Children and Adolescents

Volume: 2 Issue: 2

Author(s): Alan Graham and Brahm Goldstein

Affiliation:

Keywords: N. meningitidis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding receptors, Polysaccharide vaccines, Anti-Sepsis Drugs, rBPI21

Abstract: Infection with Neisseria meningitidis remains one of the most devastating illnesses in pediatrics. Affected patients can progress from a mild viral-like illness to death within a matter of hours. Additionally, the definitive clinical diagnosis cannot be reached until the characteristic petechial rash appears, making differentiating meningococcal infection from a benign viral illness impossible. This review will discuss the epidemiology, bacteriology, pathophysiology, treatment, and potential new therapies for severe meningococcal infections in children and adolescents.

Cite this article as:

Graham Alan and Goldstein Brahm, Severe Meningococcal Infections in Children and Adolescents, Current Pediatric Reviews 2006; 2 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339606776894595