1. Introduction and epidemiology of meningococcal diseaseNeisseria meningitidis Disease surveillance Case fatality and sequelae Epidemiology of meningococcal disease Capsular groups causing disease Current issues Summary points References 

2. Carriage and transmission of Neisseria meningitidisIntroduction Detecting the carrier stateThe natural history of meningococcal carriageEpidemiology of carriageOther Neisseria speciesEffect of vaccination on carriageSummary pointsReferences 

3. Pathogenesis of invasive diseaseIntroductionTransmission, adaptation, and penetration to the circulationNeisseria meningitidis and intravascular survivalMeningococcemia: a disease of the endothelial cellsPathophysiological characteristics of clinical presentations of meningococcal diseaseThe immune responseSummary pointsReferences

4. Diagnosis of meningococcal diseaseIntroductionConventional diagnosisMolecular diagnosis Typing of Neisseria meningitidisSummary and future outlookReferences

5. Clinical aspects of meningococcal diseaseIntroduction Clinical spectrum of diseaseSymptoms of diseaseDisease outcomes and prognosis Raising awareness of disease Genetic factors Summary points References

6. Treatment of meningococcal diseaseIntroductionShockRaised intracranial pressureAntibiotic therapyAdjunctive therapies Where to manage children with meningococcal disease? Summary points References

7. Prevention of meningococcal disease through vaccinationIntroduction Polysaccharide vaccines Protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines Production and quality control of polysaccharide and conjugate vaccinesImmunological correlates of protection Capsular group B vaccines Summary points References

Appendix Management of bacterial meningitis in children and young people 

Management of meningococcal disease in children and young peopleEarly management of suspected bacterial meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in immunocompetent adults