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Boston University: a case of laboratory acquired meningococcal meningitis
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A graduate student working in one of Boston University’s (BU) labs was sickened with an infection with the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis.
This connection was confirmed by genetic fingerprinting performed by the state laboratory. A blood sample from the student matched bacterial matter recovered from the lab.
This is not the first time BU scientists have become ill by laboratory acquired infections. In 2004, 3 scientists became infected with the agent that causes tularemia. The investigation into that case revealed sloppy lab practices and a failure to report in a timely fashion.
The latest laboratory acquired infection has occurred at a bad time for Boston University. A federal health agency is performing what is likely the final review of a expensive and controversial lab project with a high security biosafety-4 lab designed to work with very deadly agents like Ebola.
Meningococcal meningitis is caused by the bacterium, Neisseria meningitidis, which causes the most severe form of bacterial meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It can also be found in the bloodstream. This particular type of meningitis is very severe and can result in death if not treated promptly. Even in cases where treatment has been given, the fatality rate is around 15%.
The symptoms of bacterial meningitis are sudden, with fever, stiff neck, body aches and headaches. As the disease progresses other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia and seizures. A petechial rash seen on the trunk and lower extremities, bleeding complications, multi-organ failures and shock are usually final signs. This disease has the ability to kill within hours of getting it.
Up to 10-20% of older children and young adults carry this organism in the mouth and nose, though the carriage rate will vary with age and closeness of population. The majority of people that carry this bacterium have no clinical disease. The organism is spread person to person through respiratory secretions from the nose and mouth (coughing, sneezing and kissing). Experts are unsure why some people advance to meningitis disease while many do not.
There is a vaccine for Neisseria meningitis and vaccination for laboratory personnel may be considered. The vaccine does not protect against all strains of the organism and does not totally eliminate the risk.
The graduate student has recovered.
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