Pediatr. praxi. 2026;27(2):78-80 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2026.013

Atypical forms of invasive meningococcal disease

Mgr. Zuzana Okonji^{1, 4}, MUDr. Pavla Křížová, CSc.¹, MUDr. Vyacheslav Grebenyuk², MUDr. Milan Trojánek, Ph.D.², doc. MUDr. Jan David, Ph.D.^{3, 4}

¹ Národní referenční laboratoř pro meningokokové nákazy, Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha

² Klinika infekčních nemocí a cestovní medicíny 2. lékařské fakulty a Fakultní nemocnice Motol a Homolka, Praha

³ Klinika dětí a dorostu Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady, Praha

⁴ 3. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Praha

The diagnosis of invasive meningococcal disease is often challenging, particularly due to the rapid progression of this life-threatening disease. Cases with predominantly atypical symptoms are even more complicated. These may include pneumonia or pleuritis, perimyocarditis, conjunctivitis, urethritis, arthritis or abdominal symptoms. These less common forms have come to the forefront of attention following the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are beginning to appear more frequently in some countries. The epidemiological situation in the Czech Republic currently appears favourable; however, careful monitoring and vaccination against this disease remain essential.

Keywords: Neisseria meningitidis, epidemiology, perimyocarditis, abdominal form, pneumonia, pleuritis, conjunctivitis, urethritis, arthritis.

Accepted: April 22, 2026; Published: April 28, 2026  Show citation