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Meningococcal Disease, Invasive

Case definition

Confirmed case

Clinical evidence of invasive disease with laboratory confirmation of infection:

  • isolation of N. meningitidis from a normally sterile site (blood, CSF, joint, pleural or pericardial fluid) 
OR

  • demonstration of N. meningitidis DNA by an appropriately validated nucleic acid test (NAT) from a normally sterile site. 

Probable case

Clinical evidence of invasive disease with purpura fulminans or meningococcemia, with no other apparent cause, with non-confirmatory laboratory evidence:

  • Gram-negative diplococci in the CSF

Definition of clinical illness

Clinical illness associated with invasive meningococcal disease usually manifests itself as meningitis and/or septicaemia, although other manifestations may be observed (e.g. orbital cellulitis, septic arthritis). Invasive disease may progress rapidly to purpura fulminans, shock and death.

SOURCE: Meningococcal Disease, Invasive ( )
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