Clinical forms of meningococcal arthritis: a study of five cases.

Five cases of meningococcal arthritis are described. Two clinical forms were observed: an early-onset acute polyarthritis (Type I) and a late-onset subacute monoarthritis (Type II). The 2 clinical subsets may represent sequential stages, an early bacteremic and a late stage of joint localization. To improve patient classification, diagnostic criteria are proposed.