Clinical characterization of cases with meningococcal disease by W135 group in Chile, 2012]

Background: During 2012 in Chile, there were 60 cases of serogroup W135 meningococcal disease, which accounts for 57.7% of identified serogroup Cases. Aim: To describe main clinical features of patients with serogroup W135 meningococcal disease confirmed in 2012. Material and Methods: Descriptive study of case series based on retrospective review of Medical records. Results: Male patients represented 61.7% and 46.7% were children under 5 years. At first clinical attention, 3.4% of patients were suspected of meningococcal disease, while 83.3% had meningococcemia as final diagnosis. Also at first attention, the most common symptoms or clinical signs were fever >= 38.0 degrees C (60.3%), cold Symptoms (52.5%), and nausea or vomiting (46.7%). Meningeal signs had a low frequency (8.7%). Diarrhea was the second most common symptom found among deceased patients (55.6%) and statistically higher than survivors (26.8%; p = 0.034). Six-cases reported with sequelae: limb amputation, hearing logs or neurological damage, and mortality was 31.7%. Discussion: In 2012, serogroup W135 meningococcal,disease reported high mortality, atypical clinical presentation, low initial meningococcal disease diagnosis, and a high number of cases with moor clinical course.