Clinical aspects and outcome of meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis of serogroup W135 in 5 children

Meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis of serogroup W 135 (N. meningitidis W 135) is increasing in France. Clinical and outcome data concerning these infections in children are scarce. We report five cases of children hospitalized between June 2000 and December 2002 for N. meningitidis W135 infection. Extra-meningeal septic and/or non-septic complications were frequent and a prolonged post meningococcal inflammatory syndrome was reported. In N. meningitidis W135 infections a careful clinical evaluation of potential extrameningeal complications and a long term follow up of children are needed. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS.