Neisseria meningitidis: occurrence in non-pneumonic pulmonary infections.

A two-year survey at our hospital revealed 19 patients suspected of pulmonary infection from whom Neisseria meningitidis was isolated from lower respiratory tract specimens, in 17 cases in pure culture. Of the isolates, 16, two and one belonged to serogroup B, C and 29E, respectively. All except three patients suffered from chronic pulmonary disease, notably chronic bronchitis. It was found likely or possible that N. meningitidis was the causative agent in 12 patients with symptoms of acute bronchitis. Results of tests for complement-fixing antibodies against N. meningitidis (MAT) were generally not found to be useful when assessing the possible causative role of N. meningitidis in non-pneumonic pulmonary infections.