Primary meningococcal arthritis of the hip in an immunocompetent adolescent.
The clinical spectrum of meningococcal infection ranges from asymptomatic carriage to fulminant sepsis, with meningitis and septicemia being well-recognized clinical presentations. Meningococcal arthritis as a complication of Neisseria meningitidis infection occurs in about 2-10% of cases, whereas primary meningococcal arthritis (PMA) is a relatively rare phenomenon, even in children. We report here a case of meningococcal infection in an immunocompetent adolescent suffering from acute pain of the right hip as the only symptom upon presentation at the hospital. In such a situation, meningococci are not usually considered as a possible causative agent.
De Laere
E
E
Department of Microbiology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, Ruddershove 10, B-8000 Brugge, Belgium. e.delaere@skynet.be
Berghs
B
B
Gordts
B
B
Van Landuyt
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology