meningococcus

[mĕ-ning″go-kok´us]

a microorganism of the species Neisseria meningitidis, the cause of some types of meningitis. adj., adj meningococ´cal.

Neis·se·ri·a me·nin·gi·'ti·dis

a bacterial species found in the nasopharynx of humans but not in other animals; the causative agent of meningococcal meningitis and meningicoccemia; virulent organisms are strongly gram negative and occur singly or in pairs; in the latter case the cocci are elongated and are arranged with long axes parallel and facing sides kidney shaped; groups characterized by serologically specific capsular polysaccharides are designated by capital letters (the main serogroups being A, B, C, and D).

Synonym(s): meningococcus, Weichselbaum coccus

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

meningococcus

(mə-nĭng′gə-kŏk′əs, -nĭn′jə-)

n. pl. meningo·cocci (-kŏk′sī, -kī)

A bacterium (Neisseria meningitidis) that causes cerebrospinal meningitis.

me·nin′go·coc′cal (-kŏk′əl), me·nin′go·coc′cic (-kŏk′sĭk) adj.

Neis·se·ri·a me·nin·gi·ti·dis

(nī-sēr'ē-ă men-in-jit'i-dis)

A species found in the nasopharynx; the causative agent of meningococcal meningitis. Virulent organisms are strongly gram-negative and occur singly or in pairs; in the latter case the cocci are elongated and are arranged with long axes parallel and facing sides kidney shaped. Groups characterized by serologically specific capsular polysaccharides are designated by capital letters (the main serogroups being A, B, C, and D).
Synonym(s): meningococcus.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

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References in periodicals archive

Immunoblot reaction with outer membrane vesicles from meningococcus serogroup C strains N79/96 and N753/00, and meningococcus serogroup B strain Cu385/83.

Seroprevalence of bactericidal antibodies against serogroup B and C Meningococci in a University Hospital

- Meningococcal: VA-MENGOC-BC targeting Groups B & C Meningococcus

ABIVAX SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH THE FINLAY INSTITUTE

British Columbia has a comprehensive immunization program for children, which includes coverage for a wide variety of diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis from Haemophilus, meningococcus and pneumococcus, as well as hepatitis, polio, influenza, HPV and more.

Editorial: immunization is B.C.'s best shot at protecting kids

influenzae type b 10 cases, streptococcus pneumoniae 15 cases and meningococcus only one case respectively.

Identification of etiological agents by LPA and PCR in childhood meningitis

It induces a higher and more sustainable immune response against group A meningococcus, it is expected to confer long-term protection not only for those who receive the vaccine, but to family members and others who would otherwise have been exposed to meningitis and it is expected to be particularly effective in protecting children under two years of age, who do not respond to conventional polysaccharide vaccines.

Symposium on Meningococcal Meningitis - Meningitis is a major cause of child mortality in Pakistan

Teenagers, people from manual work social classes and those who have recently had colds are also at higher risk of carrying the meningococcus bug in their throats and noses, according to the research carried out at a Powys school.

Smokers, women and clubbers in meningitis link; RETRO REPORT OCTOBER 1996-How we covered..

The higher percentage of vaccine coverage resulted in making the Sultanate free from several serious childhood diseases for a number of consecutive years, such as, polio, neonatal tetanus, meningococcus infection while the number of cases in other diseases fell to lower levels indicating that the Sultanate can eradicate diseases like measles as only three cases were reported and other three cases for German measles (rubella) while 38 cases were reported for whooping cough for 2009.

Health Ministry Issues Health Facts Annual Report

According to Professor Robert Booy, smokers are prime candidates for carrying the potentially deadly meningococcus bacteria in the back of their throats.

Smokers' kisses can be fatal

Encapsulated bacterial organisms such as Haemophilus influenzae serotypeb (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus), and Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) are still the most common bacteria causing acute meningitis in infants and children worldwide, despite the availability of effective vaccines.

Bacterial meningitis in the era of paediatric vaccination against the encapsulated pathogens: bacterial meningitis is still prevalent worldwide in spite of effective vaccines

OptiMal test for malaria was negative and CSF latex for meningococcus was negative.

Spotted fever in a child in Mumbai, India