Pericarditis due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis is a well-recognized cause of bacterial meningitis. Although less common, N. meningitidis can also involve extra-meningeal sites, including the pericardium. The frequency of such extra-meningeal clinical manifestations differs depending on N. meningitidis serogroup. N. meningitidis serogroups C and W135 have been reportedly associated with extra-meningeal meningococcal disease more frequently including pericarditis. In general, meningococcal pericarditis is categorized into three etiologies; primary meningococcal disease, secondary disease due to disseminated meningococcemia, and reactive form as an immunologic complication. Importantly, meningococcal pericarditis can cause massive pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade that can lead to cardiogenic shock. We report a case of pericarditis due to N. meningitidis serogroup W135 secondary to disseminated meningococcal disease.