Acute Meningococcemia | Figure 4.14
A: Ecthyma gangrenosum
B: Meningococcemia
(Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz)
C: Meningococcemia
(Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz) |
(Figure 4.14B, C) - Acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the blood vessels caused by Neisseria meningitidis, an encapsulated gram-negative diplococcus
- Bacterial carriage via nasopharynx
- Presents initially with erythematous macules/papules → evolve to stellate purpuric patches/plaques with ischemic necrosis and/or hemorrhage, accompanied by high fever and toxic appearance
- Recurrent infections in patients with defects in late components of complement (C5–C9)
- Treatment: high dose IV PCN (if resistant, use third-generation cephalosporin)
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