Pharyngolaryngitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis is a causative agent of life-threatening cases of meningitis and sepsis, but it can also cause mild and self-limiting bacteraemia. Patients with N. meningitidis sepsis or meningitis often describe signs of upper respiratory tract infection before the onset of invasive disease. Viral respiratory infections have been associated with invasive meningococcal diseases and they may contribute to these prodromal symptoms. N. meningitidis can be cultivated from the throats of asymptomatic carriers and it likely enters the circulation through the upper respiratory tract. However, it is unclear whether N. meningitidis can cause simple pharyngitis. Here we describe a case of acute fulminant pharyngolaryngitis caused by N. meningitidis as verified by positive blood cultures.