Gonococcal septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multisystem organ failure: a case report

Abstract

We describe the first reported case of gonococcal septic shock with associated acute respiratory distress syndrome and multisystem organ failure, in which the patient made a full recovery, and add to the paucity of descriptive literature on gonococcal sepsis. The case was a 36-year-old previously healthy Aboriginal female from northern Canada. Treatment included fluid resuscitation, vasoactive drugs, mechanical ventilation, antimicrobial therapy, corticosteroid replacement, activated protein C, and general supportive care. In addition to being the first reported case of gonococcal septic shock with associated acute respiratory distress syndrome and multisystem organ failure in which the patient made a full clinical recovery this is also the first case of gonococcal septic shock treated with activated protein C; an association between its use and the favorable outcome is postulated, but cannot be confirmed.