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.).