Question

Which of the following is a clinical difference between meningococcal infection and pneumococcal meningitis?

A) Meningococcal infection typically presents with a petechial rash.
B) Pneumococcal meningitis is more commonly associated with neck stiffness.
C) Meningococcal infection is caused by a gram-positive bacterium.
D) Pneumococcal meningitis often results in epistaxis (nosebleeds).

Answer 1

The clinical difference between meningococcal infection and pneumococcal meningitis is that meningococcal infection typically presents with a petechial rash, while pneumococcal meningitis does not have this characteristic rash.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clinical difference between meningococcal infection and pneumococcal meningitis is that meningococcal infection typically presents with a petechial rash. Meningococcal meningitis, caused by the gram-negative coccus Neisseria meningitidis, can present rapid onset of symptoms and is distinctive for a petechial rash, which is a result of blood vessel disruption leading to tiny blood clots and hemorrhagic lesions on the skin.

In contrast, pneumococcal meningitis, caused by the gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, does not typically present with a rash but can cause severe symptoms including fever and neck stiffness. Additionally, meningococcal meningitis is known to progress rapidly, potentially leading to death within hours, and can also cause severe complications like shock, coma, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.