Sepsis-induced purpura fulminans caused by Pasteurella multocida

BMJ Case Rep. 2014 Feb 19:2014:bcr2013202441. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-202441.

Abstract

A 52-year-old man was admitted with a cutaneous rash associated with septic shock and multiorganic failure, 6 days after a dog bite. He was started on empiric antibiotherapy and supportive measures. The patient's condition aggravated, with need for invasive mechanical ventilation and intermittent haemodialysis, and evolution from a petechiae-like rash to purpura and gangrene, culminating in bilateral lower limb amputation. The blood cultures revealed only Pasteurella multocida, after 10 days of incubation. P multocida infection is a rare cause of soft tissue infection that subsides with oral antibiotherapy. Infections causing sepsis are rare and appear in immunocompromised patients. Purpura fulminans induced by sepsis is a rare, life-threatening disorder. This syndrome should be recognised promptly, so early treatment is instituted. We found no case reports of purpura fulminans caused by Pasteurella infections in our literature review.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Dogs*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pasteurella Infections / etiology*
  • Pasteurella multocida / isolation & purification*
  • Purpura Fulminans / etiology*
  • Shock, Septic / etiology*