Primary meningococcal arthritis in a child: case report and literature review

Efraim Bilavsky1, Havatzelet Yarden-Bilavsky, Noam Zevit

  • 1Department of Paediatrics C, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Insights

Primary meningococcal arthritis is a rare condition in children. This study details a case and reviews 18 others, characterizing this unique presentation of meningococcal disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis typically causes meningitis or sepsis.
  • Meningococcal arthritis is an uncommon manifestation, particularly in immunocompetent infants.

Observation:

  • A case of primary meningococcal arthritis in an 8-month-old immunocompetent female is presented.
  • This infant presented with joint inflammation without signs of systemic meningococcal infection.

Findings:

  • Review of 18 additional pediatric cases of meningococcal arthritis.
  • Characterization of clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of this rare disease.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering meningococcal arthritis in the differential diagnosis of pediatric arthritis.
  • Informs clinical management and understanding of this unusual presentation of meningococcal disease.

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