[Detection of meningococci in the sputum of bronchitis patients (author's transl)]

Within a period of only three months meningococci, Sero B, C and also Y, were detected among the patients of a hospital. The meningococci were isolated as sole pathogen, or in association with other bronchopathogens in five cases of purulent respiratory tract infection, most of whom were suffering from acute or chronic bronchitis. The pathogens were initially identified falsely as "facultative" Neisseria subflava. It is stressed that meningococci must be considered as possible pathogens in such infections if large numbers of the socalled facultative Neisseria have been detected with corresponding culture findings. Reference is made to the possible epidemiological significance of such findings.