Meningococcal Septic Shock Revealed: The Frightening Face of Serogroup B

Meningococcal infections are still a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in children, despite vaccine developments or advancements in vaccination, antibiotics, supportive treatments, and advancements in intensive care facilities. Neisseria meningitidis has 12 serogroups, among which A, B, C, Y, and W are responsible for the most invasive infections. Sudden onset, rapid worsening, and high contagiousness are important clinical features of meningococcal infections. Purpura fulminans, septic shock, multiple organ failure, and increased intracranial pressure also constitute life-threatening complications. Here, we present a six-month-old female patient who presented with complaints of fever, malaise, and rash and was diagnosed with meningococcal sepsis and shock based on clinical examination, laboratory findings, and blood polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity. She was treated in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) but died despite the treatments.