Mima polymorpha Meningitis in the Young

TWO AND ONE-HALF decades ago, DeBord1encountered an apparently distinctive group of gram-negative diplococci which mimicked certain clinical and bacteriological features ofNeisseria gonorrhoeae; he proposed that these agents be grouped into a tribe calledMimeae. Since then, increasing numbers of reports2-5in the English literature have confirmed this tribe's etiologic role in a wide variety of primary clinical infections. Reports6-9ofMima polymorphameningitis have appeared sporadically since DeBord's10first description, but recently sufficient cases have accumulated to outline a characteristic clinical picture. We report two instances of meningitis caused byM polymorpha, var.oxidansto call attention to their resemblance to meningococcal meningitis and to the possibility of central nervous system infection caused by theMima-like organisms. Report of Cases Case1.—AS, a 16-year-old white schoolboy, entered the hospital because of a severe headache. Well until eight days prior to admission, he developed