Pneumococcal Sepsis-Induced Purpura Fulminans in an Asplenic Adult Patient Without Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Publication/Presentation Date

12-1-2013

Abstract

Acute perturbations in the hemostatic balance of anticoagulation and procoagulation antecede the manifestation of purpura fulminans, a rare syndrome of intravascular thrombosis and hemorrhagic infarction of the skin. Hallmarks include small vessel thrombosis, tissue necrosis and disseminated intravascular thrombosis. The course may be rapidly fulminant resulting in multiorgan failure with thrombotic occlusion of the vasculature, leading to distal extremity ischemia and necrosis. Depletion of protein C (PC) has been emphasized in the pathogenesis. Early intravenous antibiotic administration and hemodynamic support are cornerstones in management. Herein, we report a case of pneumococcal sepsis-induced purpura fulminans limited to the skin in an asplenic adult patient without the development disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Volume

346

Issue

6

First Page

514

Last Page

516

ISSN

1538-2990

Disciplines

Bacterial Infections and Mycoses | Diseases | Medical Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

24185261

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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