Lundbo et al identified factors associated with invasive meningococcal disease in adults. These can help to identify a patient who may require more aggressive management. The authors are from multiple institutions in Denmark.
Patient selection: adult infected with meningococcus
Predictors of invasive disease:
(1) renal disease (OR 3.0)
(2) autoimmune disease (OR 1.7)
(3) liver disease (OR 2.5)
(4) cancer (OR 2.3)
(5) solid organ transplantation (OR 40.5)
(6) hemolytic anemia (OR 7.6)
(7) diabetes (OR 1.7)
where:
• Some of these conditions are associated with immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive therapy.
• HIV and asplenia cannot be ruled in or ruled out as risk factors.
The risk of invasive meningococcal disease increases with the number of predictors present.
A person identified as high risk may benefit from the meningococcal vaccine.
