Rapidly progressive and overwhelming meningococcal septicaemia in a 14 year old girl

Abstract

Septicaemia due to Neisseria meningitidis may be overwhelming and has a high mortality, especially in children. A case is described of rapidly fulminating mening‐ococcal septicaemia without meningitis in a previously well 14 year old girl who died within hours of the onset of illness. Clinical features of meningococcal septicaemia, the pathology, and the principles of management are described. The recent introduction of monoclonal IgM antitoxin may play a significant role in the future management of this condition.