[Meningococcal sepsis without cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities under treatment with eculizumab]

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed. 2020 May;115(4):340-342. doi: 10.1007/s00063-019-0552-0. Epub 2019 Mar 8.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Infections with Neisseriameningitidis are life-threatening conditions, generally presenting as meningitis. This case of a young woman who had a history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria under treatment with the complement inhibitor eculizumab had been presented with septic shock. While blood cultures were positive for Neisseria meningitidis, she showed no evidence for bacterial meningitis in the cerebrospinal fluid. This case shows that meningococcal sepsis without signs for bacterial meningitis despite repetitive vaccinations is possible in adults under eculizumab.

Keywords: Eculizumab; Meningitis; Neisseria meningitidis; Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; Sepsis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal*
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / diagnosis*
  • Meningococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Meningococcal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Shock, Septic*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • eculizumab