SIMULTANEOUS ARM AND LEG NECROTIZING FASC IITIS DUE TO NEISSERIA-MENINGITIDIS

Introduction. Nectrotizing fasciitis is usually due to Streptococcus s pecies but can be caused by a variety of organisms, among which Neisse ria 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-immunocompressed man, wit h a possibly predisposing effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory dr ugs. Neisseria meningitidis group C was isolated from subcutaneous and bullae aspirates. The involvement of two distant sites strongly sugge sts hematogenous dissemination of the microorganism. Four previous cas es 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 po ssible etiologic agent of this severe soft tissue infection.