Gonococcal meningitis diagnosed by DNA amplification: case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of gonococcal meningitis diagnosed by DNA amplification. A 47-year old man presented with a 4-day history of asymmetric painful swelling of his ankles and wrists, and skin rash. He had sex with men only but was HIV negative. Headache and photophobia led to a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination that revealed meningitis. Cultures were negative but we detected Neisseria gonorrhoeae in his urine and CSF using a GC/chlamydia DNA amplification assay. The patient was discharged without sequela after 14 days of intravenous ceftriaxone.