Fulminant sepsis/meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae in a protein C-deficient heterozygote treated with activated protein C therapy

Eur J Pediatr. 2009 Jun;168(6):673-7. doi: 10.1007/s00431-008-0816-9. Epub 2008 Aug 27.

Abstract

A 13-month-old Japanese female with Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis presented with unusually severe septic shock and cerebral infarction in half a day of fever. The initial therapy of plasma-derived activated protein C (Anact C) led to an impressive effect on the aggressive condition. However, purpura fulminans and the consistent decline of plasma protein C activity (<20%) required prolonged activated protein C therapy and gene analysis. The patient carried a novel heterozygous mutation of PROC (exon 4; 335 GAC>TAC, Asp46Tyr). This is the first report of infectious purpura fulminans in a protein C-deficient heterozygote. The clinical onset and treatment course adequately corroborated the aggravated immune/hemostatic reactions and the cytoprotective effects of activated protein C replacement in human heterozygous protein C deficiency. The monitoring of plasma protein C activity and sufficient administration of activated protein C product could improve the outcome of severe sepsis in children.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / complications*
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / therapy
  • Protein C / genetics*
  • Protein C / therapeutic use
  • Protein C Deficiency / complications*
  • Protein C Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Protein C Deficiency / genetics*
  • Purpura Fulminans / microbiology*
  • Shock, Septic / microbiology
  • Shock, Septic / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Protein C