Meningococcal disease in India: a review of the current epidemiology, diagnostic paradoxes, and public health imperatives

Abstract

Meningococcal disease (MD), primarily caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, remains a significant global public health concern due to its rapid progression, high case-fatality rate, and potential for severe long-term sequelae. This article provides a comprehensive overview of MD, focusing on its etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and prevention strategies. N. meningitidis is an encapsulated Gram-negative diplococcus , with serogroups A, B, C, W, Y, and X being responsible for the vast majority of invasive disease worldwide. The pathogenesis often involves colonization of the nasopharynx followed by invasion of the bloodstream (meningococcemia) or the central nervous system (meningitis). Clinical presentation is highly variable, ranging from mild fever to life-threatening septic shock, and necessitates immediate empirical antibiotic therapy.