Which organisms are the typical etiologies for adolescents and young adults (11-23 years) with meningitis?

Which organisms are the typical etiologies for adolescents and young adults (11-23 years) with meningitis?

• A. Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae
• B. Haemophilus influenzae and Listeria monocytogenes
• C. Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli
• D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Answer: (A)

In adolescents and young adults, meningitis is most often caused by Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Neisseria meningitidis tends to affect teens and young adults, especially in crowded settings like dormitories or barracks, and can present with sudden fever, neck stiffness, headache, and sometimes a petechial rash or meningococcemia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis across ages, including this group, and is associated with more severe disease and sometimes concurrent ear or sinus infections. Vaccination has reduced some causes in this age range, but both organisms remain the principal culprits. The other organisms mentioned are more typical of different contexts: Haemophilus influenzae type b was a common cause before widespread vaccination but is now rare in vaccinated adolescents; Listeria monocytogenes is more common in the elderly, neonates, or immunocompromised individuals; Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli are classic neonatal pathogens; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae are more often seen in healthcare-associated meningitis or in patients with certain risk factors.

In adolescents and young adults, meningitis is most often caused by Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Neisseria meningitidis tends to affect teens and young adults, especially in crowded settings like dormitories or barracks, and can present with sudden fever, neck stiffness, headache, and sometimes a petechial rash or meningococcemia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis across ages, including this group, and is associated with more severe disease and sometimes concurrent ear or sinus infections. Vaccination has reduced some causes in this age range, but both organisms remain the principal culprits.

The other organisms mentioned are more typical of different contexts: Haemophilus influenzae type b was a common cause before widespread vaccination but is now rare in vaccinated adolescents; Listeria monocytogenes is more common in the elderly, neonates, or immunocompromised individuals; Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli are classic neonatal pathogens; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae are more often seen in healthcare-associated meningitis or in patients with certain risk factors.