Many Faces of Meningococcal Disease: A Case Series and Review of Presentations and Treatment Options

摘要

We present three cases of Neisseria meningitidis with varied clinical presentations, including meningococcemia, meningitis, and pneumonia. Our cases suggest an association between concomitant bacterial and viral infections, including group A streptococcus and adenovirus, and an increased risk of invasive Neisseria infections. Polymerase chain reaction data are a useful adjunct to bacterial cultures for the diagnosis. Our case series exemplify the continued high mortality of N. meningitides and highlights the need for more immunogenic vaccines for prevention.