[Pericarditis as initial presentation of disseminated meningococcal disease].

Pericarditis is a well-recognized but uncommon complication of meningococcal infection. The incidence of pericarditis complicating meningococcal disease in all age groups is reported to be 3-19%. There are few cases reported in the paediatric age group. Disseminated meningococcal disease with pericarditis, defined as purulent pericarditis with clinical evidence of disseminated meningococcemia and meningitis. We report the case of a 4-month-old male infant who presented disseminated meningococcal disease with pericarditis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B. The patient was treated with antibiotic with excellent response. It is important to point out that meningococcal disease may present in unusual forms which may lead to diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.