Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae and purpura fulminans

Vivek Bhika Beechar, Carolina De La Flor, Richard J. Medford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Haemophilus influenzae typically causes illness and infection in the paediatric population. We report a case of a 53-year-old man who developed invasive non-typeable H. influenzae infection associated with purpura fulminans and multiorgan failure. On review of the literature, this is the first reported case of non-typeable H. influenzae causing purpura fulminans. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone 2 g/day and was eventually discharged from the hospital almost 2 months after admission. We discuss the role that infection/sepsis plays in disturbances to the coagulation cascade leading to purpura fulminans and the virulence factors that make non-typeable H. influenzae unique. Finally, we review other cases of H. influenzae associated with purpura fulminans and discuss the similarities with our case.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number234880
JournalBMJ Case Reports
Volume13
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 8 2020

Keywords

  • haematology (incl blood transfusion)
  • infectious diseases
  • intensive care
  • pneumonia (infectious disease)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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