meningococcal
- adjective
- /ˌmɛnɪŋɡəˈkɒkəl/
- Specialized
- The symptoms of meningococcal disease can include fever and a rash.
- meningococcal disease
- meningococcal meningitis
- meningococcal septicaemia
Examples
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In 2010, Burkina Faso became the first country to introduce the meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine (PsA-TT).
Academic text (2014) -
The WHO estimates that worldwide, 500,000 cases of meningococcal disease with 50,000 deaths occur every year.
Academic text (2011) -
And you mentioned meningococcal disease, which is uncommon but serious.
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Her primary research interests are the prevention and control of meningococcal disease.
Academic text (2014) -
In this article, we explain the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and discuss that dilemma and how to manage it.
Academic text (2014) -
Until now, its use has been restricted to groups at high risk of developing invasive meningococcal disease.
Academic text (2015) -
Practice nurses will see meningococcal disease rarely but must retain a high index of suspicion.
Academic text (2014) -
Invasive meningococcal disease is not confined to children; it can affect any age group.
Academic text (2014) -
Travel health advisers and travelers should be aware of the risk of meningococcal disease and the availability of vaccines for prevention.
Academic text (2011) -
Nevertheless, to guide interventions to prevent meningococcal disease, the occurrence of invasive disease is ultimately more informative.
Academic text (2002)
Surface Forms
Morphology
meningococcal = meningococcus (transparent) = meningo + coccus + al
The adjective is a regular formation meaning 'relating to meningococcus', with the standard suffix -al.
Etymology
Meningococcal comes from two parts: meningo- meaning the thin 'coverings' around the brain, and -coccal from coccus, a word for a round 'berry' used to name round bacteria. So meningococcal means 'about the round bacteria that affect the brain coverings', which is why it describes infections that can cause meningitis.