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Published on: October 11, 2022
Acute infectious purpura fulminans due to probable spotted fever
A Kundavaram1, N R Francis, A P J Jude
1Department of Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India.
Abstract:
Purpura fulminans (PF) is associated with several infections, most notably with meningococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus infections. However, there are few reports of association of this entity with spotted fever from India. We report the case of a 55-year-old man who presented with fever, headache, and myalgia. On the seventh day of fever he developed nonblanching purple hemorrhagic purpura on the trunk and most prominently on the extremities consistent with purpura fulminans. Immunofluorescent assay confirmed the diagnosis of spotted fever. PF though common with rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is rarely seen in association with Indian tick typhus, the usual cause of spotted fever in India.
Insights
Purpura fulminans, a severe condition, is rarely linked to Indian tick typhus. This case highlights a rare association between spotted fever and purpura fulminans in India.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Rickettsial Infections
Background:
- Purpura fulminans (PF) is a rare, life-threatening condition often associated with bacterial infections like meningococcus, staphylococcus, and streptococcus.
- While PF is commonly seen with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), its association with spotted fever in India, particularly Indian tick typhus, is infrequently reported.
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