Isolation of Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup B from Urine in a 74-Day-Old Infant: A Case Report
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of invasive bacterial disease in infancy, usually presenting as meningitis and/or septicemia. Initial isolation of this organism from urine is exceptionally rare, particularly in young infants. We report a 74-day-old previously healthy infant who presented with fever without an apparent source. Urine obtained by sterile suprapubic aspiration unexpectedly grew N. meningitidis serogroup B. Blood culture subsequently confirmed invasive meningococcal disease, whereas cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and multiplex PCR were negative despite pathologic CSF findings. The urinary isolate was therefore interpreted as probable secondary hematogenous seeding rather than primary urinary tract infection. The patient received ceftriaxone, with temporary escalation to meropenem because of persistent fever; neuroimaging excluded intracranial complications. Complement screening (50% hemolytic complement, CH50) was normal, and the infant recovered fully. This case illustrates an unusual microbiological presentation of probable invasive meningococcal disease, and highlights the importance of promptly interpreting unexpected culture results in febrile young infants.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Horizontal gene transfer in the human gastrointestinal tract: potential spread of antibiotic resistance genes
- Mutation supply and relative fitness shape the genotypes of ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli
- Genomic Survey of E. coli From the Bladders of Women With and Without Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
- Characterization of cefotaxime-resistant urinary Escherichia coli from primary care in South-West England 2017–18
- Fitness cost constrains the spectrum of marR mutations in ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli
- Emerging evidence-based innovative approaches to control catheter-associated urinary tract infection: a review
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.