Brazilian purpuric fever

Print Images (1)

Contributors: Nasro Isaq, Susan Burgin MD

Alerts and Notices

Important News & Links

Synopsis Copy

 

Brazilian purpuric fever (BPF) is a bacterial infection caused by gram-negative Haemophilus aegyptius, a rare invasive subtype of Haemophilus influenzae. The illness exclusively occurs in children. BPF has primarily been documented in Brazil, although outbreaks have occurred in other countries such as the United States and Australia.

H aegyptius usually causes a self-limiting purulent conjunctivitis in hot climate areas. BPF symptoms begin 1-2 weeks after an episode of purulent conjunctivitis, with high fever, abdominal pain, and purpura resembling fulminant meningococcemia. The illness can quickly progress to septic shock and death. Without treatment, mortality rate is about 70% and most patients die within 24 hours. However, if treated with antibiotics before the development of later symptoms, patients have an improved chance of survival.

BPF was first recognized in 1984, and no major outbreaks have been reported since 1990; sporadic cases were reported in 2007 with 7 cases without confirmation of H aegyptius.

Codes Copy

ICD10CM:
A48.4 – Brazilian purpuric fever

SNOMEDCT:
8554002 – Brazilian purpuric fever

Look For Copy

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls Copy

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls Copy

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests Copy

Subscription Required

Management Pearls Copy

Subscription Required

Therapy Copy

Subscription Required

References Copy

Subscription Required

Copyright © 2024 VisualDx^®. All rights reserved.