Purpura Fulminans in a Patient With Cirrhosis and Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) Bacteremia: Diagnostic Challenges in Coagulopathy
(MSSA) bacteremia and toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Despite treatment with antibiotics, transfusions, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and hemodialysis, he developed multiorgan failure. This case highlights that in patients with sepsis and cirrhosis, acutely worsening coagulation parameters, falling fibrinogen, and evolving purpuric or necrotic skin lesions should not be attributed to liver disease alone but should instead prompt urgent evaluation for DIC and PF. The early recognition of this distinction is essential to guide timely multidisciplinary intervention in this rare but devastating complication.
Authors
- Christopher Wexler
- Christopher R. Chedid
- Andrew Carbajal
- Katherine Blaise
- Taylor L Dartez
- Donnell D White
- Melanie Bienvenue
Institutions
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans (US)
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cureus
- Published
- 2026-04-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.106365
- Primary Topic
- Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00