脑膜炎球菌病感染的总体死亡率为 10%至 15%。[8]Cohn AC, MacNeil JR, Clark TA, et al; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and control of meningococcal disease: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2013;62:1-28.http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6202a1.htmhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23515099?tool=bestpractice.com在一些病例中,隐匿性脑膜炎球菌性菌血症将会自发好转,或随着短期经验性口服或肠外抗菌治疗而缓解,但是总体发病率及死亡率与重症感染的儿童相似。[49]Kuppermann N, Malley R, Inkelis SH, et al. Clinical and hematologic features do not reliably identify children with unsuspected meningococcal disease. Pediatrics. 1999;103:E20.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/103/2/e20.fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9925866?tool=bestpractice.com
脑膜炎患者的死亡率低于脑膜炎球菌性脓毒症患者(分别为 5%与 5%-50%。大多数死亡发生在患病后 24 小时内。青少年的死亡率高于年幼儿童,且发作阶段死亡率要高于散发病例死亡率。[50]Brooks R, Woods CW, Benjamin DK Jr., et al. Increased case-fatality rate associated with outbreaks of Neisseria meningitidis infection, compared with sporadic meningococcal disease, in the United States, 1994-2002. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;43:49-54.https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/43/1/49/309696/Increased-Case-Fatality-Rate-Associated-withhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16758417?tool=bestpractice.com
不良结果的临床及人口统计学危险因素包括年龄(婴幼儿、年轻成人及年龄超过 60 岁的人)、疾病爆发情况、昏迷、低血压、快速进行性皮疹、无颈强直、局灶性神经迹象、白细胞减少/粒细胞减少症、酸中毒、血小板减少、凝血障碍、CRP 降低。
10%至 20%脑膜炎球菌性脑膜炎存活者存在永久性神经系统后遗症,包括感觉神经性听力丧失、癫痫、失明、运动障碍、智力损伤。血栓及组织水肿会导致皮肤坏死、筋膜室综合征、或其他四肢缺血性损伤,需要皮肤移植或肢体/手指切除。