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  4. Vol 7, Issue 3, 2026

Acute Infectious Purpura Fulminans Caused by Escherichia Coli Infection: Pathogenesis and Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Review

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DOI: 10.23977/medsc.2026.070319 | Downloads: 0 | Views: 7

Author(s)

Xinyang Yu 1, Haoyin Tan 1, Lingxi He 1, Jia Huang 1, Dan Zhang 2

Affiliation(s)

1 Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
2 The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China

Corresponding Author

Dan Zhang

ABSTRACT

Acute infectious purpura fulminans (AIPF) is a rare yet highly lethal complication of sepsis characterized by systemic coagulation dysfunction, hemorrhagic skin necrosis and progressive acral ischemia, which is mostly triggered by encapsulated pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Increasing clinical evidence suggests that Escherichia coli may act as a rare causative pathogen of AIPF. In contrast to classic encapsulated bacteria-induced AIPF, E. coli-associated AIPF frequently presents with insidious infectious foci, and the interplay between endotoxin-mediated inflammation and coagulation accelerates disease progression. Clinicians often exhibit insufficient awareness of this entity, leading to frequent misdiagnosis of its early cutaneous manifestations as either disseminated intravascular coagulation or vasopressor-related ischemic injury. The available evidence primarily stems from isolated case reports, indicating a lack of systematic clinical research. This review aims to summarize the epidemiology, clinicopathological features, diagnosis, and management of E. coli-related AIPF to enhance clinicians' capacity for early recognition and treatment of this disorder.

KEYWORDS

Acute Infectious Purpura Fulminans; Escherichia Coli; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

CITE THIS PAPER

Xinyang Yu, Haoyin Tan, Lingxi He, Jia Huang, Dan Zhang. Acute Infectious Purpura Fulminans Caused by Escherichia Coli Infection: Pathogenesis and Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Review. MEDS Clinical Medicine (2026). Vol. 7, No. 3, 149-153. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/medsc.2026.070319.

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