A case of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection with purpura fulminans by Streptococcus pneumoniae / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

The most serious problem after splenectomy is the increased risk of life-threatening infections caused by encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. Purpura fulminans, which is commonly associated with meningococcal sepsis, is characterized by disseminated intravascular coagulation and rapidly progressive purpuric skin lesions. Purpura fulminans can also develop in invasive pneumococcal infection especially after splenectomy, however, there has been no report in Korea. We report a case of overwhelming pneumococcal sepsis manifested as purpura fulminans in a splenectomized patient.