Nonbacterial purpura fulminans and severe autoimmune acquired protein S deficiency associated with human herpesvirus-6 active replication

Nonbacterial purpura fulminans (PF) is rare, usually follows viral infection in young children, and is characterized by specific coagulation disorders, requiring specific therapy. Following a transient rash, a 2-year-old previously healthy girl developed PF without haemodynamic impairment. Laboratory data revealed disseminated intravascular coagulation and a severe transient protein S deficiency. Antiprotein S autoantibodies and active human herpesvirus-6 (HHV6) replication were demonstrated. Purpuric skin lesions spread very rapidly despite broad-spectrum antibiotics and right leg amputation. Plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulins gave complete clinical recovery and normalization of protein S level within 10 days, with progressive clearance of antiprotein S autoantibodies. Transient severe protein S deficiencies have previously been reported in patients with nonbacterial PF, usually after varicella infection. This is the first documented case of PF after HHV6 infection.