Most common cause of acute pyogenic meningitis in adolescents and young adults: September 2003

Ans. B i.e. N. meningitidis Acute pyogenic (bacterial) meningitidis The micro-organism that cause acute pyogenic meningitis vary with the age of the affected individual. In neonates, they include Escherichia coli and the group B streptococci At the other extreme of life, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes are more common. Among adolescents and in young adults, Neisseria meningitides is the most common pathogen, with clusters of cases causing frequent public health concerns.