title: Primary meningococcal pneumonia in elderly patients.
abstract: Neisseria meningitidis infection in humans usually manifests as meningitis and septicemia with skin manifestations. Infections of the respiratory tract with N meningitidis have been documented in the past, but often this organism is not routinely considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia. The pathogenic role of N meningitidis in lower respiratory tract infections may be underestimated because its isolation is difficult, particularly when oropharyngeal flora are present. We profile 2 elderly patients with primary meningococcal pneumonia to show the importance of Gram stain and culture in early diagnosis. These modalities helped guide treatment and prophylactic measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, USA.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Roy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents