Skin necrosis secondary to meningococcal septicaemia in an adult

A case of skin loss after meningococcal septicaemia is presented. This is a rare condition in adults and occurs after very severe infections. The skin loss is due to vasculitis, resulting from a combination of direct infection of the skin by Neisseria meningitidis, and an immunological reaction. Secondary infection frequently occurs under the eschar. Skin loss is treated by debridement and delayed split skin grafting.