1. Types of Bacteria
• Streptococcus agalactiae group B
• Escherichia coli
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Gram-negative bacilli (Mahon, Lehman, & Manuselis,
2015)
What is Bacterial Meningitis?
Who is affected?
Signs and Symptoms
• High fever
• Headache
• Stiff Neck
• Altered Mental Status (CDC, 2016)
How is Bacterial Meningitis diagnosed?
How is Bacterial Meningitis treated?
How can we prevent Bacterial Meningitis?
Vaccinations
Policies and Legislation
State Regulations
• As of 2012, 39 states have one or more
laws that require bacterial meningitis
vaccinations.
• The main groups targeted consist of first
year college students and young
adolescents.
(NCSL, n.d.)
Questions/Comments?
Risk Factors
• Age of patient
• Large gatherings of individuals such as college
dormitories or military training
• Medical conditions that weaken the immune system
• Laboratory professionals working with pathogens
• Traveling to endemic areas with known pathogens
(CDC, 2016)
Bacteria Invasion! Bacterial Meningitis
HSCI 6264
Brandon D. Morrow (MLT ASCP)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Photophobia
Diagnostic Tools
• CSF culture
• CSF turbidity
• CSF glucose level
• CSF cell count
• CSF gram stain
(Mahon, Lehman, & Manuselis, 2015; Wu et al., 2013)
• Latex Agglutination
Testing
• Multiplex polymerase
chain reaction (PCR)
(Hasbun & Bronze, 2016)
Healthy Habits
• No Smoking/Alcohol
• Getting enough sleep
• Diet and Exercise
• Avoiding those with potential
for infection
Federal Law
In 2011, House of Representatives
member Kevin Brady (R-TX)
proposed a law to honor victims of
bacterial meningitis but it was not
enacted as of 2013. (Brady, n.d.)
(Meningococcal Vaccine, n.d.).