The relationship between disseminated intravascular coagulation and purpuric eruptions in meningococcal meningitis
Montis, R.; Forteza-Rey, J.; Mut, A.; Buades, J.; Massot, B.; Siquier, B.
Medicina Clinica 77(8): 327-329
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 7334887 Document Number: 178611
In a group of 43 patients with meningococcal meningitis, the relationship between the presence of purpuric skin eruptions (petechial purpura) and disseminated intravascular coagulation [DIC] was studied prospectively. Twenty of the patients presented with petechial purpura; of these, 3 were diagnosed with DIC; in the other 17, no DIC was seen. In a group of 23 patients without purpuric eruptions, only 1 presented with DIC. No evident relationship between the purpuric eruptions and DIC was established. The eruptions associated with meningococcal meningitis probably could be attributed to immune complexes induced vasculitis, with alternative pathway components of complement activation at the site of the lesion. A protocol for a prospective study of these factors in meningococcal meningitis and meningococcal sepsis was designed.