Question

What is the mass chemoprophylaxis for meningococcal meningitis?

• A. Rifampicin
• B. Chloramphenicol
• C. Tetracycline
• D. Penicillin

Hint:

Drug of choice to clear nasopharyngeal carriage in close contacts.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Meningococcal meningitis spreads from person to person, so chemoprophylaxis is given to high-risk close contacts to eradicate nasopharyngeal carriage.

Step 2: Rifampicin is the recommended drug of choice for chemoprophylaxis. The dose is 5 mg/kg every 12 hours for 2 days in infants under 1 month and 10 mg/kg every 12 hours for 2 days in those over 1 month.

Step 3: Alternatives such as ceftriaxone (single intramuscular dose) and ciprofloxacin (single oral dose in adults) are also acceptable but rifampicin is the standard answer.

Step 4: Chloramphenicol, tetracycline and penicillin are not the preferred prophylactic agents, so the correct answer is Rifampicin (option A).