The meningococcus is most commonly associated with septicemia before meningitis.

Prepare for the AAMI Microbiology exam for embalmers with our comprehensive quiz. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations and hints to master exam content and enhance your study experience.

Multiple Choice

The meningococcus is most commonly associated with septicemia before meningitis.

The meningococcus often causes bacteremia (meningococcemia) as an initial or concurrent part of the disease, and the systemic inflammatory response driven by its endotoxin can appear before any meningitis signs. In practice, patients frequently develop fever, rash (petechiae or purpura), and signs of septicemia first, and the bacteria can then cross the bloodstream–blood-brain barrier to cause meningitis. Because septicemia is a common and early feature of meningococcal infection, the statement that septicemia occurs before meningitis is true. Of course, meningitis can occur with or without preceding septicemia, but the typical pattern supports septicemia preceding meningitis.

The meningococcus often causes bacteremia (meningococcemia) as an initial or concurrent part of the disease, and the systemic inflammatory response driven by its endotoxin can appear before any meningitis signs. In practice, patients frequently develop fever, rash (petechiae or purpura), and signs of septicemia first, and the bacteria can then cross the bloodstream–blood-brain barrier to cause meningitis. Because septicemia is a common and early feature of meningococcal infection, the statement that septicemia occurs before meningitis is true. Of course, meningitis can occur with or without preceding septicemia, but the typical pattern supports septicemia preceding meningitis.

More practice questions