Meningococcal Disease Tests

Meningococcal disease is the name for any infection caused by meningococcal bacteria (called Neisseria meningitidis). Meningococcal disease tests look for these bacteria in your blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid in spaces around your brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease can be spread from person to person by coming into contact with someone's respiratory secretions (saliva) or throat secretions (spit).

The bacteria aren't as contagious as germs that cause the common cold or the flu. For the bacteria to spread, it takes close contact (kissing) or lengthy contact (living together). The most common signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease are a sudden high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and rash.

Diagnosing meningococcal disease can be difficult because the signs and symptoms are often similar to other illnesses. If not treated early and with the right type of treatment, meningococcal infection can get worse quickly and cause death. If your health care provider thinks you might have meningococcal disease, they will order one or more of these meningococcal disease tests: Meningococcal culture test, a bacterial culture test that helps find meningococcal bacteria in a sample of your blood or CSF.

Your sample will be sent to a lab where the bacteria cells will be put in a dish with a special substance that lets the bacteria grow.; Meningococcal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, a test that checks for small amounts of the genetic material of meningococcal bacteria in a sample of your blood or CSF.; Meningococcal antigen test, a test that looks for antigens (proteins from a foreign substance that trigger your immune system to fight it off) specific to the meningococcal bacteria.; The two most common types of meningococcal infections are meningitis and bloodstream infections. In meningococcal meningitis, the lining of the brain and spinal cord become infected by the bacteria, which causes inflammation (swelling).; In meningococcal bloodstream infections, the bacteria get into the blood and cause damage to the walls of the blood vessels, which causes bleeding in the skin and organs.; Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but some people have a higher risk. This includes those who: Travel outside of the U.S. to areas where meningococcal disease is common; Are younger than one year old; Are teenagers and young adults ages 16-23 years old; Are an adult aged 65 years and older; Have a medical condition that weakens the immune system such as HIV, having no spleen or an injured spleen, or a disorder of the complement system, which helps the body fight infections; Live in close quarters with many other people like on a college campus or military base; Take a type of medicine called a complement inhibitor, which is used to treat certain rare diseases;

Why this test is done

Meningococcal meningitis and bloodstream infections are serious and can become deadly in a matter of hours. It's important to seek medical attention immediately and get the right diagnosis and treatment to help prevent serious health problems.

Symptoms are different for meningococcal meningitis and bloodstream infections.

The most common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis for adults include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck

Additional symptoms of meningitis for adults include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and confusion.

The most common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis for babies include:

• Appearing slow or inactive
• Irritability
• Feeding poorly
• Having a soft spot on the skull
• Having abnormal reflexes
• Vomiting

The most common symptoms of a meningococcal bloodstream infection in adults include:

• Cold hands and feet
• Diarrhea or nausea without vomiting
• Fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Rapid breathing
• Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or abdomen (belly)
• Dark, purple rash (in the later stages)

Call your provider right away if you think you or your child might have meningococcal disease.

How to prepare

Talk to your provider and ask about any special preparations. You may need to fast (not eat or drink) before the test. You may also need to stop taking certain medicines, so be sure to tell your provider about everything you take.

But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.

Sample type

Blood CSF

Other names for this test

Neisseria meningitidis Tests