A patient with fever, chills, and neck stiffness had a cerebrospinal fluid sample with Gram-negative diplococci. What is the likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The likely diagnosis is Meningococcal meningitis (Choice A) due to the presence of Gram-negative diplococci in the cerebrospinal fluid. Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus commonly associated with meningococcal meningitis. Fever, chills, and neck stiffness are classic symptoms of bacterial meningitis, and Neisseria meningitidis often presents with these symptoms. Pneumococcal meningitis (Choice B) is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a Gram-positive organism. Haemophilus influenzae (Choice C) is also a Gram-negative organism but typically presents with a different clinical picture. Listeria monocytogenes (Choice D) is a Gram-positive rod and is more commonly associated with meningitis in neonates, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.