Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that causes a severe infection of the meninges, a condition known as meningococcal meningitis, says DermNet NZ. This form of meningitis is especially serious and life-threatening, carrying the risk of severe brain damage, coma, shock and permanent complications. This same bacterium can also cause meningococcemia, an infection of the bloodstream. The disease is a form of sepsis, in which the walls of the blood vessels break down. Like meningitis, this condition constitutes a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
Penicillin
For most cases of Neisseria meningitidis infection, penicillin is the antibiotic of choice, according to the World Health Organization. This antibiotic works by disrupting the cell wall development of the disease-causing bacteria, thereby making the bacteria weaken and destroy itself as it continues to grow. Penicillin has some side effects, however. The most common include stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea, since the antibiotic also attacks the body's useful bacteria in the digestive tract. For female patients, vaginal itching may occur. Severe side effects include skin rashes, flu-like symptoms, fever and chills.
Cephalosporins
There are some strains of the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium that have developed a resistance to penicillin. For these varieties, third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone are an effective substitute, says DermNet NZ. Patients in serious condition are usually given both penicillin and cephalosporins. Cephalosporins are bactericides that work in the same way as penicillin, by interfering with the growth of bacterial cell walls. They have similar side effects, including diarrhea, cramping, nausea and stomach upset.
Chloramphenicol
Patients who are allergic to penicillin are given chloramphenicol, another antibiotic that is effective for treating Neisseria infection, notes NetDoctor. Chloramphenicol kills bacteria by interfering with their ability to produce proteins. This disrupts the bacteria's growth process and stops the continued spread of the infection. Side effects of chloramphenicol include allergic reactions, hypersensitivity, nausea, diarrhea, rashes and pain at the injection site. In a few cases, patients may experience headaches, oral and vaginal candidiasis, vomiting, dizziness and fever.
Supplementary Treatment
Treating Neisseria meningitidis always requires antibiotics, but some cases may require supplementary treatment, notes DermNet NZ. Patients who undergo shock will need intravenous fluids in order to prevent organ damage. Those with very low blood pressure will require medication such as noradrenaline or norepinephrine. Fresh plasma, platelets and other blood products may also be needed, and some patients may also require a machine to aid their breathing. Patients who suffer a serious case of meningococcemia will likely need skin grafts and/or amputation to remedy the necrosis of skin and underlying tissue that is associated with the disease.
