Meningococcemia

Meningococcemia is a fulminant bloodstream infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a gram-negative diplococcus that colonizes the nasopharynx and can invade the bloodstream, causing septicemia and meningitis. The organism's polysaccharide capsule (serogroups A, B, C, W, Y) resists complement-mediated killing and phagocytosis, while its lipooligosaccharide (LOS, endotoxin) is one of the most potent activators of the innate immune system, triggering massive cytokine release, complement activation, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The characteristic purpuric rash of meningococcemia results from thrombotic occlusion of dermal blood vessels with hemorrhagic infarction, progressing rapidly from petechiae to purpura fulminans with large areas of skin necrosis. Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (bilateral adrenal hemorrhage causing acute adrenal insufficiency and refractory shock) can occur. The nurse recognizes the rapidly progressive nature of meningococcemia (can progress from initial symptoms to death within hours), initiates droplet precautions immediately, administers IV antibiotics (ceftriaxone) as an emergency within minutes of suspicion, monitors for DIC (coagulation studies, purpura progression), manages hemodynamic instability with fluid resuscitation and vasopressors, monitors for adrenal crisis, and ensures close contacts receive chemoprophylaxis (ciprofloxacin, rifampin, or ceftriaxone).