[Group Y meningococci as respiratory pathogens (author's transl)].

Serogroup Y meningococci are more frequently respiratory pathogens than one might suppose from their prevalence in meningitis and septicemia. A case of a peracute fatal septicemia caused by group Y meningococci is reported here in which post mortem hemorrhagic lesions of the pharyngeal, laryngeal and tracheal mucosae as well as a beginning pneumonia and pleurisy have been found. The association of meningococcal and respiratory viral infections is discussed.