title: Meningococcal disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite significant advances in the prevention and management of Neisseria meningitidis infection, invasive meningococcal disease continues to occur with significant morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to provide an overview of the aetiology, pathogenesis, transmission, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of meningococcal disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neisseria meningitidis is now the commonest cause of meningitis and is a significant cause of septicaemia, particularly in children and young adults. The initial diagnosis may be difficult but early recognition and treatment is essential. Transmission occurs during close contact and prophylaxis is important to prevent invasive disease in contacts. The conjugate meningococcal C vaccine has recently been funded for all children aged 1-19 years in Australia.
authors.affiliation: Royal Children's and Royal Women's Hospitals, Melbourne, Victoria. andrew.daley@wch.org.au
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Daley
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D010400:Penicillin G