Severe meningococcaemia mimicking leptospirosis: a diagnostic challenge in a tropical setting

We describe a culture-confirmed case of severe meningococcaemia initially resembling severe leptospirosis, characterised by sepsis, purpura fulminans, meningitis and multiorgan failure. In a tropical setting where leptospirosis is endemic, overlapping clinical features might obscure diagnosis, particularly when facing uncertainty in rapid serological testing interpretation and atypical cerebrospinal fluid findings. Although the patient twice tested positive for rapid Leptospira IgM, blood culture ultimately confirmed Neisseria meningitidis . Early administration of appropriate antibiotics and supportive care was life-saving, but complications such as dry gangrene and severe renal injury developed. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of distinguishing meningococcaemia from other tropical infections. It highlights the importance of microbiological confirmation, timely isolation with chemoprophylaxis for close contacts and multidisciplinary follow-up for long-term sequelae.