Meningococcal sepsis without cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities under treatment with eculizumab

Abstract

Infections with Neisseriameningitidis are life-threatening conditions, generally presenting as meningitis. This case of ayoung 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.