[Cutaneous vasculitis during bacteremia caused by Meningococcus serogroup B]

We report a patient with an upper respiratory tract infection who presented outbreaks of erythematosus-purpuric macules and papules (the pathological substrate of which was a leukocytoclastic vasculitis with numerous intravascular thrombi) coinciding with two autolimited febrile episodes. In serial hemocultures B meningococcus was identified oral antibiotic treatment was given achieving a good clinical evolution. Although both episodes could be considered as a meningococcemia without sepsis, they could also correspond to the initial phase of a chronic meningococcemia. The possible etiopathogenesis of the cutaneous lesions is discussed and the therapeutic and prognostic repercussion of an early identification of these forms of meningococcal disease, which are poorly expressed clinically, are highlighted.