Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a life-threatening condition caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis), an encapsulated gram-negative diplococcus that is a pathogen exclusive to humans. N. meningitidis is carried harmlessly in the nasopharynx of approximately 5?11% of adults and up to 25% of adolescents. Life-threatening disease occurs when the bacterium invades body tissue, which most commonly manifests as meningitis or septicemia. The disease is transmitted via respiratory droplets, through close or prolonged contact with an infected individual. N. meningitidis is classified into 13 distinct serogroups; however, almost all invasive disease in humans is a result of infection with one of 6 serogroups.
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