Meningococcal pericarditis caused by the MenW:cc11 strain in an older adult

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis is a disease with a high mortality and morbidity rate. Serogroup W meningococci (MenW) used to be associated with sporadic disease worldwide. In recent years, a surge in MenW incidence is being observed.

Report

An older adult presenting with acute onset shortness of breath, chest pain and fever, was diagnosed with pericarditis with meningococcemia due to MenW:ST11 strain. MenW infections are reported to have a higher case fatality rate and atypical clinical presentations: MenW has been identified in patients presenting with pneumonia, gastro-intestinal symptoms, arthritis, and pericarditis.

Discussion

In Belgium, the National Reference Laboratory is also noticing an increase in serogroup Wmeningococcal disease. Recent epidemiological data for Belgium is reported in the article. MenW infections are reported to have a higher case fatality rate and atypical clinical presentations: MenW has been identified in patients presenting with pneumonia, gastro-intestinal symptoms, arthritis, and pericarditis.

Conclusion

When factors for poor prognosis are present in patients with pericarditi clinicians should be vigilant and search for the underlying aetiology .

KEYWORDS:

• Pericarditis
• N. meningitidis
• serogroup W
• invasive meningococcal disease

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

G. Moerman: drafting the article, literature review and interpretation, final approval of the version to be published.

D. Verleyen: critical revision of the article.

Ph. Rogiers: critical revision of the article.

J. Hoste: critical revision of the article.

W. Mattheus: epidemiological data collection for Belgium, literature review and interpretation, critical revision of the article.

K. Floré: drafting the article, critical revision of the article, final approval of the version to be published.