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Recrudescence and relapse of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia
P E Nielsen1, T Thelle, M Tvede
1Department of Paediatrics, Viborg County Hospital, Denmark.
Abstract:
Three cases of recrudescence and relapse of Neisseria meningitidis group B meningitis and septicaemia are reported. The recrudescence and relapses could not be explained by infectious foci, increased bacterial penicillin resistance or immunological defects. As a supplement to antibiotic treatment, all three patients received corticosteroids for the initial 2 days of treatment, and this may have contributed to the unusual course of the disease in our patient.
Insights
Recrudescence and relapse of Neisseria meningitidis group B meningitis and septicaemia occurred unusually. Corticosteroid use may have contributed to these unexplained relapses in meningitis patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Neisseria meningitidis group B can cause severe meningitis and septicaemia.
- Recrudescence and relapse of meningococcal disease are uncommon.
- The underlying causes for recurrent meningococcal infections are not always clear.