Cutaneous Involvement in Acute Meningococcemia (Study of an Epidemic in Delhi)

Abstract

Thirty (88.2%) out of 34 children with skin lesions were observed during the recent epidemic of meningococcus group A infection in Delhi. Purpuric lesions were the commonest (60%), maculo-papular in 26-67% and faint pink macules'm 13.33% Conjunctivae were affected m 3. These eruptions appeared within 6 hours: ulcers and gangrene appeared after 7 days in one child. Severe vascular damage was seen on histoplthology of the ulcers as compared to the early lesions. Gangrene of the extremities developed during the recovery phase when all other signs of the disease had subsided.