Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 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

7.8K

Changing Clinical Spectrum of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in France (2014-2025): Impact of Age and Meningococcal

Samy Taha1, Ala-Eddine Deghmane1, Muhamed-Kheir Taha1

  • 1Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, National Reference Centre for Meningococci and Haemophilus Influenzae, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, 28 rue du Dr Roux, CEDEX 15, 75724 Paris, France.

Microorganisms
|February 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Atypical presentations of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) are increasingly common in France, linked to specific serogroups and patient age. These findings impact diagnosis and surveillance strategies for IMD.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases Epidemiology
  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Genomic Surveillance

Background:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) classically presents as meningitis or septic shock.
  • An increasing trend of atypical, extra-meningeal IMD manifestations has been observed.
  • Post-COVID-19 pandemic shifts include IMD incidence rebound and changes in circulating serogroups in France.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze clinical presentations of IMD in France between 2014 and 2025.
  • To identify associations between IMD manifestations, patient demographics, serogroups, clonal complexes, and early mortality.
  • To understand the impact of evolving IMD epidemiology on clinical practice and surveillance.

Main Methods:

  • Nationwide retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed IMD cases analyzed by the French National Reference Centre (July 2014 – June 2025).
  • Clinical presentations were coded, including classical and atypical forms (e.g., bacteraemic pneumonia, abdominal presentations, arthritis).
  • Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression assessed associations with age, serogroup, clonal complex, and early mortality (≤72 h).

Main Results:

  • Sepsis/shock (61.1%) and meningeal involvement (54.9%) were predominant among 4328 IMD cases.
  • Atypical forms were frequent: bacteraemic pneumonia (7.7%), abdominal presentations (8.0%), and arthritis (6.0%).
  • Abdominal presentations, associated with serogroups W/Y and clonal complex cc11, were independently linked to increased early mortality (aOR 2.40).

Conclusions:

  • Atypical IMD presentations are a substantial and growing proportion of cases in France.
  • Clinical presentation is significantly influenced by patient age and meningococcal genetic lineage (serogroup and clonal complex).
  • These findings underscore diagnostic challenges, prognostic variability, and the need for integrated surveillance and adaptive vaccination strategies.
Keywords:
abdominal manifestationsantimicrobial susceptibilityatypical clinical presentationsbacteraemic pneumoniaclonal complexesearly mortalityinvasive meningococcal diseaseserogroups W and Y

More Related Videos

Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/4306:06

Constructing Mutants in Serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae strain 519/43

Published on: September 11, 2020

2.2K
Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

15.7K

Related Concept Videos

Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
2.1K
History of Microbiology01:28

History of Microbiology

Microbiology, a scientific field dedicated to the study of microorganisms, has undergone profound development since its inception in the 17th century. Its history is marked by key discoveries and technological advancements that have shaped our understanding of life at the microscopic level and transformed medicine, agriculture, and industry.Early Foundations of MicrobiologyThe early foundations of microbiology were built on groundbreaking observations and the development of pioneering...
12.2K
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
14.2K