A 35-year-old man presented to the emergency room with general malaise, low-grade fever, and purplish discoloration on his hands after returning from a trip to sub-Saharan Africa 10 days prior. Blood cultures revealed gram-negative diplococci and the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. Laboratory tests found abnormalities including low blood pressure, an elevated white blood cell count with many immature forms, and low platelet count. The organism was identified as Neisseria meningitidis based on biochemical testing.

1. Mifrah Ziyard AHS/ MLS/ 05/ 53 Faculty of Allied Health Sciences University of Peradeniya.