Neisseria Meningitidis bacteria harbour normally

• N. Meningococci are capsulated Gram-negative diplococci • Reservoir for N. Meningitidis- human nasopharynx is the only reservoir of meningococcus. (N.meningitidis) • Most important source- carriers are the most imp source, not clinical cases. • They are arranged in pairs with adjacent sides flattened --7 half moon shaped. • Transport medium --7 Stuart's medium. • Blood agar, chocolate agar and Mueller - Hinton agar is the media commonly used for culturing meningococci. • Age group- 3 month-5 years • Serotype- total 13, out of which serotype A, B, C are most important ■ Serotype A- Epidemics ■ Serotype B- Both epidemic and local outbreaks ■ Serotype C- Local outbreaks • Chemoprophylaxis has been suggested for close contacts. • RIFAMPICIN is DOC for prophylaxis