Purpura Fulminans

Abstract

PURPURA fulminans is a rare clinical syndrome characterized by sudden appearance of rapidly progressive symmetrical subcutaneous ecchymoses and accompanied by high fever, intense systemic symptoms and death, which usually occurs within a few days of the onset.Ever since this syndrome was first described by Guelliot1 in 1884 there have been scattered reports in the literature of cases, all characterized by strikingly similar clinical courses, hemorrhagic manifestations and autopsy findings. The laboratory investigations in most cases are equivocal. In a number of cases the fulminating purpura is preceded by scarlet fever, suddenly appearing in the second to the fourth week . . .