An Uncommon Presentation: Chronic Meningococcaemia Associated With Cholestatic Hepatitis in a Turkish Child

Abstract

Chronic meningococcaemia is a very rare clinical manifestation of invasive infection by Neisseria meningitidis. A 9-year-old girl was admitted to our clinic with complaints of fever, headache, arthralgia, and maculopapular rash. The diagnosis was made by the growth of Neisseria meningitidis in the blood cultures. Four days after admission, liver Function tests were increased and were compatible with cholestatic hepatitis. Thereafter, the patient was successfully treated and symptoms were completely resolved. To our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of Neisseria meningitidis causing cholestatic hepatitis. Herein, we present an unusual child patient with chronic meningococcaemia associated with cholestatic hepatitis. © Oxford University Press 2004; all rights reserved.