The CDC recently reported that fluoroquinoloneresistant strains of Neisseria meningitidis have been detected for the first time in the US in an area around the border of North Dakota and Minnesota (CDC. MMWR, Feb 22, 2008). These isolates were all serogroup B, for which meningococcal vaccines (Med Lett Drugs Ther 2005; 47:29) do not offer protection. Since many laboratories do not test N. meningitidis for antimicrobial susceptibility, it is possible that such resistance is more widespread.

A single oral dose of ciprofloxacin (Cipro, and others) 500 mg has been used for prophylaxis after close contact with infected patients. Oral rifampin (Rifadin, and others) 600 mg (10 mg/kg for children) q12h for 2 days, a single IM injection of ceftriaxone (Rocephin, and others) 250 mg (125 mg for children), or a single oral dose of azithromycin (Zithromax, and others) 500 mg (10 mg/kg for children) are reasonable alternatives.

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The FDA has approved a conjugated polysaccharide vaccine, Menactra (Sanofi-Pasteur), for protection against disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis in people 11-55 years old, and the manufacturer has applied for approval for use in children 2 to 10 years old. An unconjugated meningoccocal polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune - Sanofi-Pasteur) has been licensed in the US since 1981.