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    What is bacterial meningitis?

    A serious infection affecting the meninges in the brain or spinal cord.

    How does bacterial meningitis differ from viral meningitis?

    Bacterial meningitis typically presents with cloudy cerebrospinal fluid and elevated white blood cell counts.

    What causes the cloudy appearance in bacterial meningitis cerebrospinal fluid?

    The presence of elevated granulocytes indicates infection.

    What is Neisseria meningitidis?

    A gram-negative diplococcus responsible for epidemic meningitis.

    What are the main virulence factors of Neisseria meningitidis?

    Polysaccharide capsule, endotoxin, and opacity proteins enhance its pathogenicity.

    What role does the polysaccharide capsule play in Neisseria meningitidis?

    It helps resist phagocytosis and serves as an antigen in vaccines.

    What is the significance of lipooligosaccharide (LOS) in Neisseria meningitidis?

    LOS acts as an endotoxin that triggers severe inflammatory responses.

    What are common clinical findings in meningococcemia?

    Petechial bleeding, high fever, and shock are typical symptoms.

    What is Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome?

    A life-threatening condition caused by meningococcemia leading to adrenal hemorrhage.

    What symptoms characterize meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis?

    Fever, headache, stiff neck, and increased PMNs in cerebrospinal fluid.

    What increases the risk of meningococcal bacteremia?

    Deficiencies in complement components C6–C9 raise susceptibility.