What does meningococcal mean?
Meningococcal is an adjective used primarily in medicine and public health to describe infection or disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis. This bacterium can produce meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and it may also spread through the bloodstream. The resulting conditions are grouped under the term meningococcal disease, which can progress rapidly and may cause shock or death, particularly in infants, adolescents, and people with certain medical vulnerabilities. Preventive vaccination against major strains of the bacterium is therefore routinely recommended in many countries. The adjective also appears in references to meningococcal vaccines, carriers, outbreaks, and infections. Although meningococcal conditions are sometimes discussed alongside other forms of meningitis, the word has a precise identifying function: it signals that the bacterium N. meningitidis is responsible.
adjectiveRelating to or caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which can cause meningitis and other forms of meningococcal disease.
- Relating to or caused by Neisseria meningitidis, the bacterium responsible for meningococcal meningitis and related infections.
"Routine vaccination has greatly reduced the incidence of meningococcal disease."
"The laboratory confirmed that her illness was meningococcal disease."
"Health officials advised students to receive the recommended meningococcal vaccination."
A bacterium with a shape resembling a tiny kidney can trigger meningitis, bloodstream infection, and other serious illness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does meningococcal come from?
Meningococcal was formed in English from meningococcus with the adjective-forming suffix -al. Meningococcus was coined in New Latin from the plural of meninx, “membrane,” and the Greek-derived term coccus, originally meaning a berry or kernel. The same Greek root appears in meninges, meningeal, and meningitis, all members of the medical vocabulary concerning the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.
How meningococcal is actually used
The term is normally used attributively in established medical or public-health expressions, especially “meningococcal disease,” “meningococcal meningitis,” and “meningococcal vaccine.” It specifically identifies disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis rather than all forms of meningitis.
Easily confused with meningococcal
Meningeal means relating to the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, whereas meningococcal specifically identifies disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis.
Meningitic describes inflammation of the meninges regardless of its cause, while meningococcal more specifically refers to infection caused by N. meningitidis.