Primary meningococcal conjunctivitis followed by meningitis and septicemia

One case of meningococcal conjunctivitis followed by meningitis and septicemia with fatal outcome is described. Primary meningococcal conjunctivitis is rare, but 10% of the published cases are complicated by systemic infection. It is recommended that these patients be given both local and parenteral treatment. The value of culturing the purulent exudate from the conjunctival sac to reach an etiological diagnosis is pointed out.