title: Primary meningococcal conjunctivitis: an unusual case of transmission by saliva.
abstract: A 49-year-old diabetic man presented with a 2-day history of a painful right eye associated with a purulent discharge. Prior to becoming symptomatic, he reported that someone spat at him, resulting in direct contact between the saliva and his affected eye. Gram stain revealed numerous leucocytes with Gram-negative diplococci, and culture yielded Neisseria meningitidis (serogroup C). There was no evidence of any systemic infection, and blood cultures were negative for any growth. He was treated for primary meningococcal conjunctivitis (PMC) with intensive topical antibiotic eyedrops as well as systemic antibiotics. One week after commencing treatment he remained systemically well and his symptoms had fully resolved.
authors.affiliation: Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Alexander W S
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Dryden
authors.affiliation: Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mrinal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pravin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pandey
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions