The development of progressive, severe skin changes (purpura fulminans) is
a serious complication of septicaemia, particularly meningococcal septicaem
ia. Purpura fulminans almost invariably leads to some full thickness skin l
oss and may lead to limb amputation. The pathophysiology may involve microe
mboli, endotoxins and direct bacterial damage to the vessels. We describe a
case of purpura fulminans, probably as a result of meningococcal septicaem
ia, localising to a recent, healed burn with complete resolution. We can fi
nd no other record of the skin manifestations of meningococcal septicaemia
localising to a previous injury. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd
for ISBI. All rights reserved.