Observations on Early Detection and Therapy of the Defibrination Syndrome in Meningococcemia

摘要

Forty seven culture proven cases of meningococcemia and or meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis were diagnosed and treated. In nineteen other cases that were treated, meningococcal disease was strongly suspected despite negative blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Particular attention was given to the early detection and therapy of the defibrination syndrome (diffuse intravascular clotting or DIC) in these patients. This entity is now recognized as the most common fatal complication of meningococcemia and is a problem of great significance to the overall military mission because of the high incidence of meningococcal disease in military recruits. This paper documents observations in detail. (Author)