Clinical purpura fulminans in the absence of a positive blood culture.
Laboratory Criteria for Diagnosis
Gram-negative diplococci, not yet identified, isolated from a normally sterile
body site (e.g., blood or CSF)
Detection ofN. meningitidis antigen
In formulin-fixed tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC); or
In CSF by latex agglutination
Detection of N. meningitidis-specific nucleic acid in a specimen obtained
from a normally sterile body site (e.g., blood or CSF), using a validated polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) assay; or
Isolation of N. meningitidis
From a normally sterile body site (e.g., blood or CSF, or less commonly, synovial, pleural,
or pericardial fluid); or
From purpuric lesions
Epidemiologic Linkage
Not applicable for case classification.
Case Classification
Suspected
Clinical purpura fulminans in the absence of a positive blood culture; or
Gram-negative diplococci, not yet identified, isolated from a normally sterile
body site (e.g., blood or CSF)
Probable
Detection of N. meningitidis antigen
In formulin-fixed tissue by immunohistochemistry (IHC); or
In CSF by latex agglutination
Confirmed
Detection of N. meningitidis-specific nucleic acid in a specimen obtained
from a normally sterile body site (e.g., blood or CSF), using a valudated polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) assay; or
Isolation of N. meningitidis
From a normally sterile body site (e.g., blood or CSF, or less commonly, synovial, pleural,
or pericardial fluid); or