Meningococcal meningitis with neurological complications and meningococcemia due to serogroup W sequence type 11 complex.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by the serogroup W (MenW) sequence type-11 complex strain has recently emerged worldwide. Meningococcal infections due to this strain are associated with high case fatality and often atypical clinical manifestations. However, the annual IMD incidence was low, and MenW is rare in Japan. We described the first Japanese case of meningococcal meningitis and meningococcemia caused by this strain in a previously healthy 27-year-old woman. This case showed various neurological complications such as abducens palsy, cerebellitis, and cerebellar infarction, and reactive arthritis. This case provides useful information on the possibility of spreading IMD strains and the cause of various complications.