Neisseria flavescens septicaemia with meningitis. A case report

Abstract

A rare case of septicaemia with meningitis caused by Neisseria flavescens is reported. The clinical presentation and initial bacteriological findings were indistinguishable from those in meningococcal septicaemia with purpura. A review of the literature for N. flavescens infections revealed 15 other cases of meningitis and 1 of septicaemia. A plea is made for the full identification of all Neisseria isolated, especially those isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures, so that closely related members of the family Neisseriaceae are not confused.