Meningococcal septicaemia presenting as erythema multiforme.

A 48-year-old woman presented with a three-week history of recurrent, generalised rash, flitting joint pains, frontal headache and shivering attacks. On admission she was pyrexial and exhibited a symmetrical generalised maculopapular rash with a few target lesions. The rash faded within the first 24 hours, but over the following week it recurred at intervals of 48 hours and was accompanied by fever and headache. She was started on a short course of steroids, which did not alter her symptoms or signs. Eight days after admission, the patient underwent a lumbar puncture, despite the absence of definite signs of meningeal irritation. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was turbid and diagnostic of bacterial meningitis. Cultures of blood and CSF taken on the day of admission both grew Neisseria meningitidis. The patient was successfully treated; symptoms were completely resolved.