A Severe Complication of Sepsis: Purpura Fulminans

Abstract

Purpura fulminans (PF), is a fatal disease which develops acutely and is characterised by skin necrosis, microvascular clotting, and purpuric lesions generally seen during or after an infection. Early diagnosis and treatment of PF is important for the prevention of longterm sequelae and to reduce mortality. It is a disease with an acute onset, characterised by microvascular clotting, leading to purpuric lesions and skin necrosis that can have a fatal outcome. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is often seen, and as in the current patient, this can progress to septic shock. The case is here presented of a patient who developed purpura fulminans while under follow up for intra-abdominal sepsis, and the intensive care follow-up period is discussed.

Keywords

• purpura fulminans
• disseminated intravascular coagulation
• sepsis