Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminans
Meningococcal disease is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Typical presentations include meningitis, septicaemia, or a combination of the two. Rarely, it can be complicated by purpura fulminans and myocarditis, contributing to increased morbidity an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Asian Journal of Internal Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://account.ajim.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-ajim/article/view/305 |
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| author | H. M. U. A. S. Perera N. M. Perera S. A. P. K. Siriwardhana |
| author_facet | H. M. U. A. S. Perera N. M. Perera S. A. P. K. Siriwardhana |
| author_sort | H. M. U. A. S. Perera |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Meningococcal disease is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Typical presentations include meningitis, septicaemia, or a combination of the two. Rarely, it can be complicated by purpura fulminans and myocarditis, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a previously healthy 16-year-old boy presenting with a 3-day history of fever, headache and altered consciousness. He was hypotensive, febrile and tachycardic on admission, with a purpuric skin rash suggestive of purpura fulminans and neck stiffness. Investigations revealed leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated inflammatory markers, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis consistent with bacterial meningitis. PCR confirmed Neisseria meningitidis. Elevated troponin I and echocardiography indicated myocarditis. He was treated in the ICU with fluids, inotropes and intravenous ceftriaxone. The patient made a full recovery, with normalisation of cardiac function and inflammatory markers. This case underscores the severe and aggressive nature of meningococcal disease, emphasising the importance of early recognition and timely multidisciplinary intervention in preventing poor outcomes in healthy individuals.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5fcd8ded58be456c9de2ad3c08fedb46 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2827-7260 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Asian Journal of Internal Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-5fcd8ded58be456c9de2ad3c08fedb462025-08-20T04:01:23ZengSri Lanka College of Internal MedicineAsian Journal of Internal Medicine2827-72602025-08-014210.4038/ajim.v4i2.305Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminansH. M. U. A. S. Perera0N. M. Perera1S. A. P. K. Siriwardhana2Colombo North Teaching Hospital, RagamaColombo North Teaching Hospital, RagamaColombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama Meningococcal disease is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Typical presentations include meningitis, septicaemia, or a combination of the two. Rarely, it can be complicated by purpura fulminans and myocarditis, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a previously healthy 16-year-old boy presenting with a 3-day history of fever, headache and altered consciousness. He was hypotensive, febrile and tachycardic on admission, with a purpuric skin rash suggestive of purpura fulminans and neck stiffness. Investigations revealed leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated inflammatory markers, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis consistent with bacterial meningitis. PCR confirmed Neisseria meningitidis. Elevated troponin I and echocardiography indicated myocarditis. He was treated in the ICU with fluids, inotropes and intravenous ceftriaxone. The patient made a full recovery, with normalisation of cardiac function and inflammatory markers. This case underscores the severe and aggressive nature of meningococcal disease, emphasising the importance of early recognition and timely multidisciplinary intervention in preventing poor outcomes in healthy individuals. https://account.ajim.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-ajim/article/view/305Neisseria meningitidisMeningococcal meningitisPurpura fulminansMyocarditis |
| spellingShingle | H. M. U. A. S. Perera N. M. Perera S. A. P. K. Siriwardhana Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminans Asian Journal of Internal Medicine Neisseria meningitidis Meningococcal meningitis Purpura fulminans Myocarditis |
| title | Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminans |
| title_full | Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminans |
| title_fullStr | Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminans |
| title_full_unstemmed | Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminans |
| title_short | Meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock, myocarditis and purpura fulminans |
| title_sort | meningococcal meningitis complicated by septic shock myocarditis and purpura fulminans |
| topic | Neisseria meningitidis Meningococcal meningitis Purpura fulminans Myocarditis |
| url | https://account.ajim.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-ajim/article/view/305 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hmuasperera meningococcalmeningitiscomplicatedbysepticshockmyocarditisandpurpurafulminans AT nmperera meningococcalmeningitiscomplicatedbysepticshockmyocarditisandpurpurafulminans AT sapksiriwardhana meningococcalmeningitiscomplicatedbysepticshockmyocarditisandpurpurafulminans |