[Vascular and immunological processes in the pathogenesis of meningococcal infection]

A pathomorphological investigation of 115 lethal cases of various forms of meningococcal infection was carried out. Meningococcemia, its instantaneous forms in particular, are characterized by acute decompensation of the lymphoid system and generalized microangiopathy with the thrombohaemorrhagic syndrome. Haemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenals and damage of the hypophysis represented manifestations of the acute decompensation of the hormonal regulation. Inflammatory changes in meningococcemia were observed not in all the cases (they were absent in 1/4 of the deceased). In meningitis (meningoencephalitis) without sepsis no generalized angiopathy was noted, immunomorphological changes were of a proliferative character. Previous sensibilization of the macroorganism was an important prerequisite for the development of meningococcal infection.