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 6264Brandon 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 LawIn 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.).