[Clinical characterization of cases with meningococcal disease by W135 group in Chile, 2012]

During 2012 in Chile, there were 60 cases of serogroup W135 meningococcal disease, which accounts for 57.7% of identified serogroup cases.

To describe main clinical features of patients with serogroup W135 meningococcal disease confirmed in 2012.

Descriptive study of case series based on retrospective review of medical records.

Male patients represented 61.7% and 46.7% were children under 5 years. At first clinical attention, 3.4% of patients were suspected of meningococcal disease, while 83.3% had meningococcemia as final diagnosis. Also at first attention, the most common symptoms or clinical signs were fever ≥ 38.0° C (60.3%), cold symptoms (52.5%), and nausea or vomiting (46.7%). Meningeal signs had a low frequency (8.7%). Diarrhea was the second most common symptom found among deceased patients (55.6%) and statistically higher than survivors (26.8%; p = 0.034). Six cases reported with sequelae: limb amputation, hearing loss or neurological damage, and mortality was 31.7%.

In 2012, serogroup W135 meningococcal disease reported high mortality, atypical clinical presentation, low initial meningococcal disease diagnosis, and a high number of cases with poor clinical course.