[Necrotizing fasciitis, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, simultaneously involving an arm and a leg].

INTRODUCTION

Necrotizing fasciitis is usually due to Streptococcus species but can be caused by a variety of organisms, among which Neisseria species are distinctly rare, as only four cases have been reported in the literature.

CASE REPORT: We report the first case of Neisseria meningitidis necrotizing fasciitis in a non-immunocompromised man, with a possibly predisposing effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Neisseria meningitidis group C was isolated from subcutaneous and bullae aspirates. The involvement of two distant sites strongly suggests hematogenous dissemination of the microorganism. Four previous cases of fasciitis caused by Neisseria species are reviewed.

CONCLUSION

Although Streptococcus group A is the main cause of apparently primary necrotizing fasciitis, Neisseria meningitidis must be considered a possible etiologic agent of this severe soft tissue infection.