SEPTICEMIA CAUSED BY NEISSERIA CINEREA IN A 9-MONTH-OLD CHILD

Abstract

A rare case of septicemia in a 9-month-old child caused by Neisseria cinerea infection is presented. The disease had an acute onset, characterized by a fever of up to 38.0 °C, restlessness, monotonous crying, pallor with pronounced mottled skin, and multiple hemorrhagic rashes on the lower extremities, buttocks, and torso. These symptoms were consistent with the typical clinical presentation of meningococcemia complicated by infectious-toxic shock. Based on the diagnosis of meningococcal infection – meningococcemia with infectious-toxic shock – the child received treatment in the intensive care unit. However, bacteriological analysis of nasopharyngeal mucus and cerebrospinal fluid revealed no presence of Neisseria meningitidis. Instead, blood cultures isolated gram-negative diplococci, identified using the Vitek-2 system as Neisseria cinerea.

Neisseria cinerea is predominantly considered a non-pathogenic commensal organism that colonizes the human nasal and oropharyngeal tract. However, under certain conditions, it can act as a pathogenic microorganism, causing serious invasive diseases such as septicemia.

Our observation demonstrates that the classification of bacteria as pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic is relatively fluid. Thus, Neisseria cinerea, typically deemed non-pathogenic, should be regarded as a potential pathogen capable of causing severe septicemia with infectious-toxic shock, even in a previously healthy child. The role of this microorganism in the development of invasive infections in children requires further study to clarify its etiological significance and to optimize prevention and treatment methods.