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File:IPLab13Meningococcemia8.jpg|This is a higher-power photomicrograph of a smear of cerebrospinal fluid taken at autopsy. Note the Gram-negative cocci in this smear, indicative of N. meningitidis.
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== Study Questions ==
* <spoiler text="What is the Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome?">This is a syndrome consisting of the sudden onset of rapidly progressing illness with shock, cyanosis, hemorrhagic skin lesions, bilateral adrenal cortical hemorrhage, and usually death within 24 hours. It is the result of fulminant bacterial sepsis, often due to Neisseria meningitides, although many other organisms can be involved. N. meningitides releases a toxin that damages endothelial cells in small vessels all over the body. In the adrenal, this vascular damage and subsequent thrombosis leads to hemorrhagic necrosis.</spoiler>
* <spoiler text="What is the source of Neisseria meningitides?">Man is the only host. The organism lives in the nasopharynges of apparently unaffected individuals.</spoiler>
* <spoiler text="What is the favorite site of growth of Neisseria meningitides during clinical illness?">Cerebrospinal fluid is the favorite site of growth for the bacteria and meningitis is the most common illness. Other sites include heart valves, pericardium, joints, and the lungs.</spoiler>
{{IPLab 13}}
[[Category: IPLab:Lab 13]]
