Meningococcal septicaemia

What it is

Meningococcal infection is infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. Meningococcal septicemia, blood poisoning, is the form associated with meningitis.

How it presents

The feature is a purpuric rash which may start anywhere on the body and then spread. The rash itself is non-blanching on palpation, irregular in size and outline, and has a necrotic centre.

It is also described as a blotchy red rash that does not fade or change colour when a glass is placed against it. Two points go with that test: the rash is not always present in this condition, and when it does appear it is a late sign of the disease.