Benign Gonococcemia with Skin Lesions and Arthritis

An account is given of 16 cases of benign gonococcemia during the period Dec. 1, 1967 to Oct. 31, 1969. 15 patients were women, 1 man, and the average age was 29 years. The typical clinical picture consisted of fever, joint affection combined with a vesiculopapular, frequently hemorrhagic exanthema and genital gonococcal infection with usually slight or no symptoms and a good general condition throughout. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from the blood in 1 case. Positive cultures were more frequently obtained from the genital and anal mucous membranes. With the fluorescent antibody technique gonococci were demonstrated from an efflorescence of 1 patient. Serological response was demonstrated in 8 patients. All cases had an unequivocal clinical picture. Penicillin resistance did not occur, but a reduction in sensitivity was noted in 1 case. Treatment had prompt effect, but spontaneous healing was also seen. No complications or relapses were noted.