• Trina Helderman, Paris B Lovett, and Paris Lovett.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10065, USA.
• J Emerg Med. 2012 Oct 1;43(4):634-6.

BackgroundAfter deployment of the Haemophilus influenzae vaccination, the range of pathogens causing acute epiglottitis has changed, as has the epidemiology from a primarily pediatric syndrome towards more frequent adult onset.ObjectivesWe present a case of acute-onset meningococcal epiglottitis in an adult patient, to our knowledge one of a few reported cases in the medical literature. We review the historic changes and outcomes of similar episodes.Case ReportA 37-year-old diabetic man presented to our Emergency Department in acute respiratory distress. Examination revealed epiglottitis; his airway subsequently closed rapidly and was secured by surgical cricothyroidotomy; blood cultures showed the primary pathogen to be Neisseria meningitidis type C.ConclusionNeisseria meningitidis has been found to be an emerging cause of acute epiglottitis in adult patients over the last decade, possibly having worsened outcomes compared to other etiologies.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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