RESUMEN
This study included 125 cases with meningococcal infection which have been admitted in King Faisal Hospital Makkah from March 1993 to April 1996. The majority of cases were due to group A meningococci [88.8%]. High incidence of the disease developed in the age group 24 -60 years and the males were affected more than females. Fever, headache vomiting, disturbed level of consciousness and neck stiffness were the predominant symptoms and signs. The C.S.F TNF-alpha was highly significantly increased in patients with meningitis in comparison to the control group. We found positive correlation between C.S.F TNF-alpha level and the development of complication. Our conclusion is that C.S.F TNF-alpha level is a good prognostic parameter for the outcome in meningococcal meningitis