Invasive Meningococcal Disease and COVID-19 Co-Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report presents a 53-year-old male patient infected with COVID-19 who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and septic shock due to meningococcemia, despite the absence of clinical signs of meningitis. This patient's condition was complicated by pneumonia in the setting of myocardial failure. In the curse of the disease, it is remarked that the importance of early recognition of sepsis symptoms is crucial in distinguishing patients with COVID-19 from those with other infections and preventing fatal outcomes. The case presented an excellent opportunity to review meningococcal disease's intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors. With the identified risk factors, we propose different measures to be considered to diminish and recognize this fatal disease early.

Recent increase in atypical presentations of invasive meningococcal disease in France

“…Indeed, there was a significant increase in atypical presentations linked to serogroups W and Y that surged at the end of 2022, and even serogroup B cases, that used to manifest almost always by classic presentations, showed an increase in these atypical presentations. The rebound of IMD cases was reported in several countries but few published data on the evolution of clinical forms with mainly case reports and our recent work on the increase of meningococcal epiglottitis in adults [ 18 , 19 ]. Our data also suggest a shift of IMD disease to older age groups.…”