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Invasive Meningococcal Disease in a Patient With Complement 7 Deficiency
Hiroaki Nishioka1, Kazuki Maegawa1, Shigeo Hara2
1Department of General Internal Medicine Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital Kobe Japan.
Journal of General and Family Medicine
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) can occur in young adults with underlying complement deficiencies. A Japanese man with complement component 7 deficiency recovered after treatment for N. meningitidis infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Primary complement deficiencies increase the risk of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD).
- IMD cases linked to complement deficiency are rare in Japan.
- Neisseria meningitidis is a bacterium that can cause IMD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of IMD in a Japanese adult with a complement deficiency.
- To highlight the importance of considering complement deficiencies in patients with IMD, even in seemingly healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 35-year-old Japanese man with fever and rash.
- Blood culture for bacterial identification.
- Antibiotic treatment and clinical follow-up.
- Genetic analysis to identify complement component deficiencies.
Main Results:
- Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B was identified in blood cultures.
- The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and recovered fully.
- Genetic analysis revealed a deficiency in complement component 7.
Conclusions:
- Invasive meningococcal disease can affect young, healthy individuals.
- Complement deficiencies, such as complement component 7 deficiency, should be considered in patients with IMD.
- This case underscores the importance of diagnosing complement deficiencies for managing and preventing recurrent IMD.
