The clinical manifestations of Neisseria meningitidis can range from transient fever and bacteremia to fulminant disease with death ensuing within hours of the onset of clinical symptoms. It is a common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in both children and adults. Mortality can be veRead more
The clinical manifestations of Neisseria meningitidis can range from transient fever and bacteremia to fulminant disease with death ensuing within hours of the onset of clinical symptoms. It is a common cause of community-acquired bacterial meningitis in both children and adults. Mortality can be very high in patients with meningococcal disease if the infection is not treated appropriately, and long-term sequelae can be severe even in successfully managed cases due primarily to difficulty in managing the endotoxin-induced vascular collapse frequently induced by this organism. The symptoms of Neisseria meningitidis can vary from mild to severe and can include:
– Sudden onset of fever
– Headache
– Stiff neck
– Nausea and vomiting
– Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
– Altered mental status (confusion)
– Skin rash
– Seizures

The genus Staphylococcus consists of Gram-positive, non-spore-forming cocci that are often found as normal human microbiota of the skin and nasal cavity. There are five organisms to consider as potential human pathogens in this genus: 1. S. aureus 2. S. epidermidis 3. S. saprophiticus 4. S. haemolytRead more
The genus Staphylococcus consists of Gram-positive, non-spore-forming cocci that are often found as normal human microbiota of the skin and nasal cavity. There are five organisms to consider as potential human pathogens in this genus:
1. S. aureus
2. S. epidermidis
3. S. saprophiticus
4. S. haemolyticus, and
5. S. hominis.
The major test reaction to use in Staphylococcus identification is the coagulase test reaction, which divides the genus Staphylococcus into 2 groups:
See less1. Coagulase-negative species, and
2. Coagulase-positive species.
The test media that you will run for identification depends on which category your organism falls in.