Subclinical infection of the genital tract with Neisseria meningitidis

Abstract

We report the isolation of Neisseria meningitidis, characterized as B:NT:P1.7, from a female patient's genital tract in an outpatient clinic for HIV care. The gynecology clinic, as part of the follow up, collects specimens from all patients with HIV infection for routine exams and for early laboratory detection of sexually transmitted diseases . A Gram-negative diplococcus was isolated from the cervix of a heterosexual patient with AIDS. Based on this and other reported cases, urogenital infection with N. meningitidis can no longer be considered uncommon. The rising incidence of N. meningitidis isolated from this and similar sites has significant medical and diagnostic implications.

Symptomatic Female Genital Tract Infections Due to Neisseria meningitidis in Athens, Greece

“…In our study, the symptoms in both cases were presented by increased vaginal discharge which is in agreement with previous studies at which meningococcal invasion of the female genital tract can cause local symptoms, possibly due to cervicitis or vaginitis [ 22 ], or can be asymptomatic, identified only during routine follow-up examination [ 23 ]. In contrast, vaginal bleeding [ 24 ], abdominal symptoms due to pelvic inflammatory disease [ 25 ] or systemic symptoms due to IMD [ 26 ] were not observed.…”

Characterization of Carriage Isolates of Neisseria meningitidis in the Adolescents and Young Adults Population of Bogota (Colombia)

“…However, cases of genital tract infections or colonization due to N . meningitidis have been reported [ 26 , 27 ], and genetic exchange between these two species is a well-documented phenomenon.…”

Generalized Meningococcal Disease in the Newborn: Clinical Case and Literature Review

“…Виды Neisseria являются известными комменсалами женских половых путей, а нетипируемые штаммы Neisseria meningitidis могут быть обнаружены в вагинальных образцах [54][55][56][57], в урогенитальном тракте (шейка матки, влагалище, уретра), а также в прямой кишке. Несмотря на это, Neisseria meningitidis до настоящего момента не рассматривается как серьезная причина урогенитальных инфекций, хотя сообщения о случаях менингококкового уретрита, цервицита, вагинита, проктита, воспалительных заболеваний органов малого таза и послеродового эндометрита относятся еще к 1940-м гг.…”