Pathophysiology of primary meningococcal pericarditis associated with Neisseria meningitidis group C. A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Pericarditis associated with Neisseria meningitidis in the absence of meningitis or meningococcemia is an extremely rare event. We report herein a case of a 59-yr-old woman with primary meningococcal pericarditis caused by Neisseria meningitidis group C. The patient responded to a course of penicillin therapy and recovery was uncomplicated. The pathophysiologic features underlying or contributing to the disease are discussed and the pertinent literature is reviewed.