Clearance antibiotics for invasive meningococcal disease
After an episode of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal) meningitis or other invasive meningococcal disease (eg sepsis), clearance antibiotics are recommended for some patients (index cases) and close contacts. Discuss the role of clearance antibiotics for close contacts with the local public health authority. For definitions of an index case and close contacts, see the Australian public health guidelines for the management of invasive meningococcal disease.
Suitable regimens for clearance of N. meningitidis areCommunicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) 2017:
1ciprofloxacin orally, as a single dose1 ciprofloxacin ciprofloxacin ciprofloxacin
adult, or child 12 years or older: 500 mg. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see ciprofloxacin oral dosage adjustment
child younger than 5 years: 30 mg/kg up to 125 mg2
child 5 to 12 years: 250 mg2
OR
1ceftriaxone intramuscularly, as a single dose ceftriaxone ceftriaxone ceftriaxone
adult, or child 12 years or older: 250 mg
child 1 month to younger than 12 years: 125 mg
OR
1rifampicin orally, 12-hourly for 2 days rifampicin rifampicin rifampicin
adult: 600 mg. For dosage adjustment in adults with kidney impairment, see rifampicin dosage adjustment
neonate: 5 mg/kg
child 1 month or older: 10 mg/kg up to 600 mg.
Ceftriaxone is preferred in pregnant people. Rifampicin is preferred in neonates. Rifampicin is contraindicated in pregnancy and severe liver disease.