Purpura Fulminans in an Asplenic Intravenous Drug User

Abstract

Capnocytophaga species are fastidious, slowgrowing microorganisms. It is important, therefore, to maintain a high degree of suspicion and alert the microbiology laboratory to increase the likelihood of isolation.• Patients should be cautioned regarding the need for prophylactic antibiotics in the event of an animal bite; asplenic patients are at particular risk for infection.• In patients with severe purpura fulminans and a gangrenous limb, it is important to allow adequate time for demarcation of gangrene and not rush to amputation.