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Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
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Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Primary meningococcal pneumonia

R S Irwin, W K Woelk, W L Coudon

    Annals of Internal Medicine
    |April 1, 1975
    PubMed

    Insights

    Neisseria meningitidis group Y can cause severe pneumonia without bloodstream invasion. This primary meningococcal pneumonia often lacks distinct symptoms and may be linked to viral infections.

    Area of Science:

    • Infectious Diseases
    • Pulmonary Medicine
    • Bacteriology

    Background:

    • Neisseria meningitidis is a common cause of meningitis and sepsis.
    • Pneumonia is typically associated with other bacterial or viral pathogens.
    • The role of Neisseria meningitidis in primary pneumonia requires further elucidation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To report cases of pneumonia caused by Neisseria meningitidis group Y.
    • To investigate the clinical presentation and characteristics of primary meningococcal pneumonia.
    • To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria meningitidis group Y isolates.

    Main Methods:

    • Case reporting of three patients with Neisseria meningitidis group Y pneumonia.
    • Clinical data collection including symptoms, diagnosis, and outcomes.
    • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the causative isolates.

    Main Results:

    • Three cases of confirmed Neisseria meningitidis group Y pneumonia were identified.
    • Infection occurred without preceding bloodstream invasion in these cases.
    • Isolates demonstrated sensitivity to common antibiotics including penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, sulfadiazine, and rifampin.

    Conclusions:

    • Neisseria meningitidis group Y can cause severe pneumonia, potentially without bacteremia.
    • Primary meningococcal pneumonia may present non-specifically and evade detection by standard sputum cultures.
    • Concurrent viral infections, such as influenza and adenovirus, may be associated with meningococcal pneumonia.

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