Two Cases of COVID-19 Patients With Associated Purpura Fulminans

Abstract

Purpura fulminans (PF) is a life-threatening emergency involving coagulopathy and widespread skin necrosis. Early treatment, especially surgical management, is imperative as prognosis can be very poor. PF is most commonly associated with severe bacterial illness; however, viral causes are also possible. Currently in the literature, there have only been a handful of PF cases associated with COVID-19. We present two cases of PF in the setting of COVID-19 infection. Both patients had a history of underlying coagulopathies. PF can be a sign of underlying coagulopathy in a COVID-19 patient, who is already at increased risk for thromboembolic events due to the inflammatory nature of COVID itself. Due to how quickly PF can develop into life-threatening necrosis and multiorgan failure, it is imperative that these patients are referred early to a burn center for more advanced care.