Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The clinical spectrum of invasive meningococcal disease is diverse with meningitis and/or septicaemia being the commonest modes of presentation. The severity of manifestations of meningococcal infection ranges from bacteraemia, associated with mild non-specific symptoms, to fulminant sepsis with multiorgan failure and death in approximately 10-15% of cases. Localised infections (such as conjunctivitis or septic arthritis) as well as chronic disease may be the sole clinical manifestations but can also lead to disseminated fulminant disease. Among survivors, disabling long-term sequelae can complicate meningococcal disease and result in potentially devastating effects on the quality of life of survivors, most of whom are infants, children and adolescents. The only rational approach to the prevention of meningococcal disease and the associated human suffering is through vaccination.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.12.062

Type

Journal article

Journal

Vaccine

Publication Date

30/05/2012

Volume

30 Suppl 2

Pages

B3 - B9

Keywords

Adolescent, Child, Child, Preschool, Conjunctivitis, Humans, Infant, Meningitis, Bacterial, Meningococcal Infections, Meningococcal Vaccines, Mental Disorders, Multiple Organ Failure, Sepsis