This case report describes primary meningococcal pericarditis (PMP), a rare and potentially life-threatening form of Neisseria meningitidis infection that may mimic idiopathic or viral pericarditis, particularly in the absence of classic signs of meningococcemia or meningitis. PMP accounts for a small proportion of meningococcal pericarditis cases. Early in its course, PMP can present without systemic features or hemodynamic instability, complicating timely recognition. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion when encountering mild leukocytosis with a left shift or bandemia in patients with presumed uncomplicated pericarditis, as this may represent an early indicator of invasive meningococcal disease requiring prompt investigation and treatment.
Hasan et al. (Tue,) studied this question.