[Meningococcus endophthalmitis without meningitidis].
Meningococcus endophthalmitis is exceptional. We report a case of ocular damage following type C meningococcus septicemia with no meningitis. A 20-year-old man reported to the emergency unit for polyarthritis pain in various joints, associated with chills, nausea, and diarrhea without fever. Ophthalmological examination revealed uveitis. A few days later, endogenous endophthalmitis was suggested because of a worsening general condition and fever spells to 39 degrees C. A hemoculture sampled on the patient's admission 4 days earlier revealed Neisseria meningitidis positivity. Meningococcus septicemia with no meningitis was diagnosed. Before the introduction of antibiotics, meningococcus meningitis was unfortunately frequent and ocular septic embolism was not a rare occurrence. The diagnosis of meningococcemia was delayed in our patient because of the atypical symptomatology and ocular manifestations in the forefront. As with any endogenous endophthalmitis, prognosis is bleak and it should be raised whenever suspected uveitis does not react to standard treatment.
Quintyn
J C
JC
Service d'Ophtalmologie, CHU de Rangueil, Toulouse. jean-claude.quintyn@laposte.net
Poupelin
S
S
Fajoles-Vasseneix
C
C
Brasseur
G
G
D000328:Adult; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections