Disseminated gonococcal infection in pregnancy presenting as meningitis and dermatitis.

Abstract

In 2003, the reported gonorrhea rate among women was 118.8 per 100,000 women. Most gonococcal infections in pregnant women are asymptomatic or produce a mildly symptomatic genital infection. Disseminated infections can occur when gonococcal bacteremia produces extragenital symptoms, most commonly arthritis. A patient presented in the third trimester of pregnancy with fever, body aches, neck soreness, and skin lesions. There was no arthritis. Cultures performed during evaluation confirmed extragenital Neisseria gonorrhoeae. A high index of suspicion is necessary to diagnose disseminated gonococcal infection and prevent disease sequelae.