Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W 135 disease in adults
R. D. Brandstetter, R. J. Blair and R. B. Roberts
Five adults had infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135.
Their ages ranged from 19 to 74 years, and the spectrum of illness included
meningitis, pneumonia, and acute peritonitis. Two patients had systemic
lupus erythematosus and were receiving corticosteroids at the time of their
infection. One patient died of fulminant meningococcemia. All isolates were
sensitive to sulfonamides. The recent increase in the national incidence of
N meningitidis serogroup W135 infections emphasizes the need for continuing
surveillance and justifies its inclusion in a polyvalent meningococcal
vaccine.
