title: Different clinical manifestations of meningococcaemia: three patient reports.
abstract: Neisseria meningitidis, a ubiquitous Gram-negative diplococcus, is responsible for a spectrum of clinical manifestations. This is illustrated by the history of three patients recently admitted to our hospital. Because of the possibly rapid and dramatic evolution, awareness for meningococcal diseases remains obligatory. Adequate antibiotic treatment instituted as soon as the diagnosis is suspected and early application of aggressive supportive care can lead to more favourable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital, Free University of Brussels (AZ-VUB), Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leeman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pierard
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huyghens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D002443:Ceftriaxone