Benign gonococcemia with skin lesions and arthritis

Scand J Infect Dis. 1970 Dec;2(3):191-200. doi: 10.3109/inf.1970.2.issue-3.07.

Abstract

Abstract An account is given of 16 cases of benign gonococcemia during the period Dec. 1, 1967 to Oct. 31, 1969. 15 patients were women, 1 man, and the average age was 29 years. The typical clinical picture consisted of fever, joint affection combined with a vesiculopapular, frequently hemorrhagic exanthema and genital gonococcal infection with usually slight or no symptoms and a good general condition throughout. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from the blood in 1 case. Positive cultures were more frequently obtained from the genital and anal mucous membranes. With the fluorescent antibody technique gonococci were demonstrated from an efflorescence of 1 patient. Serological response was demonstrated in 8 patients. All cases had an unequivocal clinical picture. Penicillin resistance did not occur, but a reduction in sensitivity was noted in 1 case. Treatment had prompt effect, but spontaneous healing was also seen. No complications or relapses were noted.