Purpura fulminans localising to a recent burn injury.
The development of progressive, severe skin changes (purpura fulminans) is a serious complication of septicaemia, particularly meningococcal septicaemia. Purpura fulminans almost invariably leads to some full thickness skin loss and may lead to limb amputation. The pathophysiology may involve microemboli, endotoxins and direct bacterial damage to the vessels. We describe a case of purpura fulminans, probably as a result of meningococcal septicaemia, localising to a recent, healed burn with complete resolution. We can find no other record of the skin manifestations of meningococcal septicaemia localising to a previous injury.
Wharton
S M
SM
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, UK.
Reid
C A
CA
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial