Meningococcal disease

The overall mortality rate of meningococcal infections is 10% to 15%.[19]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal disease. Feb 2024 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html

Patients with meningitis have a lower mortality rate (5%) than those with meningococcal sepsis (5% to 40%). Most deaths occur in the first 24 hours of illness. Mortality rates are higher in adolescents than in younger children, and higher during outbreaks than in sporadic disease.[87]Brooks R, Woods CW, Benjamin DK Jr., et al. Increased case-fatality rate associated with outbreaks of Neisseria meningitidis infection, compared with sporadic meningococcal disease, in the United States, 1994-2002. Clin Infect Dis. 2006 Jul 1;43(1):49-54. https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/43/1/49/309696 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16758417?tool=bestpractice.com

Clinical and demographic risk factors for adverse outcomes include age (infants, young adults, and those age >60 years), association with an outbreak, coma, hypotension, a rapidly progressive rash, absence of nuchal rigidity, focal neurologic signs, leukopenia/neutropenia, acidosis, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and low serum C-reactive protein concentration.

Between 10% and 20% of survivors of meningococcal meningitis have permanent sequelae, including sensorineural hearing loss, seizure disorders, blindness, motor disorders, and intellectual impairment.[19]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meningococcal disease. Feb 2024 [internet publication]. https://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/index.html Thrombosis and tissue edema may result in skin necrosis, compartment syndrome, or other ischemic injury to extremities, and require skin grafts or amputation of digits or extremities.