Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

7.9K

Primary meningococcal polyarthritis in an adult woman

José Celso Giordan Cavalcanti Sarinho1, Marília Soares E Silva Arcadipane1, Graziela Tavares Miola Menezes1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Jundiaí, 13202-550 Jundiaí, SP, Brazil.

Case Reports in Medicine
|April 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Primary joint infection by Neisseria meningitidis is rare, usually affecting one joint. This case report reviews a rare instance of meningococcal polyarthritis in an adult, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis for a good prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Rheumatology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Primary joint infection by Neisseria meningitidis is uncommon.
  • Meningococcal arthritis typically presents as monoarthritis, often secondary to meningitis or sepsis.
  • Polyarticular involvement is exceptionally rare, with fewer than 10 reported cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of primary meningococcal polyarthritis in an adult woman.
  • To review the clinical presentation and management of this rare condition.
  • To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for favorable outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Literature review of meningococcal arthritis and polyarthritis.
  • Clinical and microbiological assessment of the patient.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with polyarthritis without preceding meningitis or sepsis.
  • Neisseria meningitidis was identified as the causative agent of the joint infection.
  • The patient received appropriate antibiotic treatment for meningococcal infection.

Conclusions:

  • Primary meningococcal polyarthritis is a rare but treatable condition.
  • Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing meningococcal joint infections.
  • This case underscores the need to consider Neisseria meningitidis in the differential diagnosis of polyarthritis, even without typical signs of systemic infection.

Related Concept Videos

Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
46
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
151
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease...
67
Cranial and Spinal Meninges01:19

Cranial and Spinal Meninges

The cranial and spinal meninges are complex protective structures surrounding the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. These meninges consist of the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. They protect the CNS, provide structural support, and aid in circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cranial Meninges
These meningeal layers cover the cranium. The dura mater is the outermost layer of cranial meninges. It is a thick and durable membrane of dense...
5.0K
Acute Pharyngitis01:30

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
6.2K
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
626