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[Acute meningococcal infection (author's transl)]
Abstract:
Authors report 49 patients bacteriologicallyly diagnosed of acute meningococcal infection collected during a 12 months period out of a series of 76 cases diagnosed on clinical grounds. "N. meningitidis" was found in 18 blood and 43 CSF cultures. 31 cases were of the B-group, one was A-group and 17 were not typed. All of them were sulphamide resistant. Hyperthermia with vomiting, cephalea, arthralgia and seizures were the initial symptoms. All patients showed pettechiae, purpura and/or ecchymoses. Endotoxic shock was diagnosed in 26,5% of the cases. In them systolic blood pressures were under p-5. Overall mortality was 14%, and that of endotoxic patients 53%. Therapeutic routines and chemoprophylaxis are reviewed.
Insights
This study details 49 cases of acute meningococcal infection, finding all strains resistant to sulphamides. Mortality was 14% overall, highlighting the severity of this bacterial meningitis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Acute meningococcal infection poses a significant public health challenge.
- Bacteriological diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and understanding disease epidemiology.
- Neisseria meningitidis strains exhibit varying group prevalences and antimicrobial resistance patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the clinical and microbiological features of acute meningococcal infections.
- To analyze the susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis isolates to sulphamides.
- To assess the outcomes and mortality associated with meningococcal disease.
Main Methods:
- Bacteriological diagnosis of 49 patients with acute meningococcal infection over 12 months.
- Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures for Neisseria meningitidis identification.
- Serogroup determination (A, B, untyped) and sulphamide resistance testing.
- Clinical data collection including symptoms, signs, and complications like endotoxic shock.
Main Results:
- Neisseria meningitidis was confirmed in 49 of 76 clinically diagnosed cases.
- Prevalent serogroup was B (31 cases), followed by untyped (17) and A (1 case).
- All isolates were resistant to sulphamides; endotoxic shock occurred in 26.5% with 53% mortality in this subgroup.
Conclusions:
- Acute meningococcal infections in this cohort were characterized by sulphamide-resistant strains, predominantly serogroup B.
- Endotoxic shock significantly increases mortality in meningococcal disease.
- Review of therapeutic strategies and chemoprophylaxis is essential for managing outbreaks.