CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION AND ITS EARLY DIAGNOSIS IN RESIDENTS OF THE TRANSCARPATHIAN REGION.

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To identify clinical and epidemiological features of meningococcal infection on the initial day of a patient's medical consultation, as well as the efficacy of laboratory examinations.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 76 patients' histories diagnosed with meningococcal disease was carried out.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions

Patients in the Transcarpathian region mainly develop an atypical form of meningococcal disease. Only half of all patients diagnosed with meningococcemia had a classical hemorrhagic rash. Generalized forms of meningococcal disease may proceed with normal or subfebrile temperature and without severe leukocytosis. We doubt the use of bacteriological methods of laboratory diagnosis due to their low effectiveness. The most sensitive method of laboratory diagnosis is a microscopic examination of blood smear, and cerebrospinal fluid.