Chronic meningococcemia: a report of 26 cases and literature review

Infection. 2019 Apr;47(2):285-288. doi: 10.1007/s15010-018-1238-x. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Abstract

Chronic meningococcemia is defined by blood culture(s) positive for Neisseria meningitidis, symptoms duration > 7 days, and neither meningitis nor shock on admission. This series of 26 consecutive cases illustrates that this is a rare disease (< 5% of meningococcemia, < 0.05 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year), mostly affecting young adults, males, with no predisposing condition. Major symptoms include fever, rash, and arthralgia. Median time between symptoms onset, and diagnosis is 28 days. Most patients fully recover with a 1-week course of parenteral betalactams.

Keywords: Chronic; Immunity; Meningococcemia; Neisseria meningitidis; Virulence.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Chronic Disease / epidemiology
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infusions, Parenteral
  • Male
  • Meningococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Meningococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Meningococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Meningococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Young Adult
  • beta-Lactams / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • beta-Lactams