Objective:

The aim of the study was to present a case report of child who suffered from acute infectious purpura fulminans. The progression of the disease was so rapid that we could not take specimens for culture. Postmortem cultures were obtained.

Case report:

A mother of an 8-month-old child noticed high temperature and haemorrhagic rash on skin. Additionaly, bronchial infection was suspected. The child died within 10 h from the onset of symptoms. In the postmortem examination, the following day, no signs of respiratory tract infection nor infectious organ infiltration were found. There was only a haemorrhagic effusion of suprarenal glands. In postmortem cultures we isolated Haemophilus influenzae (HI) from cerebrospinal fluid and bronchial aspirate and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) from bronchial aspirate. Blood cultures were negative.

Conclusions:

Acute HI infection could be very rapid and fatal. The recognised symptoms, which were nonspecific, included fever and haemorrhagic rush all over the body.