Which pair of organisms are most commonly implicated as etiologic agents for bacterial meningitis in young adults living in dormitories?

Which pair of organisms are most commonly implicated as etiologic agents for bacterial meningitis in young adults living in dormitories?

• A. Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis
• B. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes
• C. Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae
• D. Neisseria meningitidis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Answer: (C)

Close living conditions, like college dormitories, facilitate rapid spread of Neisseria meningitidis through respiratory droplets, making meningococcal meningitis a classic concern in this setting. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the other major bacterial cause of meningitis in adults, including young adults, so it commonly accompanies meningitis cases in this age group. Together, these two organisms best fit the scenario of young adults in dormitories. Other organisms don’t fit as well here. Haemophilus influenzae used to be a common cause in children but is much less common in vaccinated adults. Listeria monocytogenes tends to affect neonates, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals rather than healthy young adults in dorms. Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes a chronic, subacute meningitis and is not associated with the rapid outbreaks seen in dormitory living. So, the combination of Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae best explains the bacterial meningitis pattern in this setting.

Close living conditions, like college dormitories, facilitate rapid spread of Neisseria meningitidis through respiratory droplets, making meningococcal meningitis a classic concern in this setting. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the other major bacterial cause of meningitis in adults, including young adults, so it commonly accompanies meningitis cases in this age group. Together, these two organisms best fit the scenario of young adults in dormitories.

Other organisms don’t fit as well here. Haemophilus influenzae used to be a common cause in children but is much less common in vaccinated adults. Listeria monocytogenes tends to affect neonates, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals rather than healthy young adults in dorms. Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes a chronic, subacute meningitis and is not associated with the rapid outbreaks seen in dormitory living.

So, the combination of Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae best explains the bacterial meningitis pattern in this setting.