Invasive meningococcal disease in Peru: the need to be prepared for outbreaks

Arango-Rojas G.M.; Altamirano-Quiroz A.; Blondet-Hernández S.J.; Shinzato-Yge S.; Ruelas J.C.; Vargas-Herrera N. · Anales de la Facultad de Medicina (2025) · DOI: 10.15381/anales.v86i2.30375

Resumen

Invasive meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection associated with high mortality rates and sequelae among survivors. In Peru, although the incidence is low, the occurrence of cases in densely populated urban areas highlights the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance to identify and prevent outbreaks, as well as to determine the true burden of the disease. In this article, we present the case of a patient with HIV without vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis who developed an invasive infection caused by this bacteria, confirmed by blood cultures and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and who responded favorably to the initiated antibiotic treatment. This case underscores the urgent need to evaluate the incorporation of the meningococcal vaccine into the national immunization schedule in order to prevent severe cases like the one described. © (2025), (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos). All rights reserved.