Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2025

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
Published on: November 5, 2019
[Invasive meningococcal disease: increased risk and vaccination prevention for immunocompromised patients]
Sabrina Janßen1, Benjamin T Schleenvoigt2, Birgit Blass3
1Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Linkstraße 10, 10785, Berlin, Germany. Sabrina.Janssen2@pfizer.com.
Individuals with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe meningococcal infections. Consistent implementation of vaccination guidelines for these vulnerable groups is crucial for preventing severe outcomes and long-term sequelae.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Meningococcal infections, including sepsis and meningitis, remain significant health concerns despite declining case numbers.
- Identifying at-risk populations is essential for developing targeted vaccination strategies.
Purpose:
- To highlight the increased risk of severe meningococcal disease in immunocompromised individuals.
- To emphasize the importance of adhering to vaccination recommendations for vulnerable groups.
Summary:
- People with primary or secondary immunodeficiencies (e.g., asplenia, HIV, diabetes, transplant recipients, those on immunomodulatory therapy) face a heightened risk of infection and severe disease from meningococcal pathogens.
- Despite medical advancements, mortality rates remain high, and survivors often experience severe long-term complications.
Impact:
- Consistent application of vaccination guidelines for immunocompromised individuals is vital in Germany.
- Enhanced education for patients, contacts, and healthcare providers about available vaccinations can reduce invasive meningococcal infections.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Vaccinations
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...

