INFECTIOUS THROMBOTIC VASCULOPATHY

  • Ana Gameiro Interna do Internato Complementar de Dermatologia e Venereologia/Resident, Dermatology and Venereology; Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra
  • Inês Coutinho Interna do Internato Complementar de Dermatologia e Venereologia/Resident, Dermatology and Venereology; Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra
  • José Carlos Cardoso Assistente Hospitalar de Dermatologia/Consultant in Dermatology; Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra
  • Américo Figueiredo Professor Doutor em Dermatologia e Venereologia e Chefe de serviço/Senior Consultant, Head of the Dermatology Department, MD, PhD; Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Coimbra
Keywords: Endocarditis, bacterial, Skin diseases, Vascular

Abstract

Vasculitis is characterized by blood vessel inflammation, resulting in their damage or even complete destruction, and may lead to either ischemic or hemorrhagic presentations. Infection is a common cause of vasculitis, usually by deposition of immune complexes, complement activation and endotoxins. Less often, endocarditis or sepsis, due to embolization and direct invasion, can cause vasculitis. We present a 35 year-old woman, with purpuric and necrotic lesions, showing a relapsing course during several months. Complementary workup revealed cardiac vegetations, which were considered the most likely etiology for cutaneous manifestations. However, based on ethical/ religious concerns, the patient refused surgical treatment and died. This case represents a rare and exuberant clinical presentation of a thrombotic vasculopathy, probably caused by septic embolism from staphylococcal endocarditis.

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Published
2015-07-01
How to Cite
Gameiro, A., Coutinho, I., Cardoso, J. C., & Figueiredo, A. (2015). INFECTIOUS THROMBOTIC VASCULOPATHY. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, 73(2), 299-303. https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.73.2.381
Section
Case Reports

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