Purpura fulminans (PF) is a potentially life-threatening condition manifested by cutaneous necrosis and hemorrhage due to dermal vascular thrombosis. Rare in adults, PF occurs in the setting of sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). We present a case of fatal meningococcal PF mimicking Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) in an adult patient undergoing treatment with etanercept and prednisone.
Correspondence: Dr Cotliar, Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N St Clair St, Ste 1600, Chicago, IL 60611 (j-cotliar@northwestern.edu).
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None reported.
Funding/Support: Dr Cotliar is supported by a Medical Dermatology Career Development Award from the Dermatology Foundation.