Severe disseminated intravascular coagulation often complicates septicemia caused by which organism?

• A. Acinetobacter sp.
• B. Moraxella sp.
• C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• D. Neisseria meningitidis

Answer: (D)

Severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is most classically seen with meningococcemia caused by Neisseria meningitidis. The meningococcus releases endotoxin that triggers a massive inflammatory response, with cytokines activating the coagulation system throughout the vasculature. This causes widespread microthrombi formation and consumption of platelets and clotting factors, leading to the simultaneous risks of thrombosis and bleeding characteristic of DIC. Clinically, meningococcemia often presents with sudden fever, septic shock, and a rapidly progressing purpuric/petechial rash, reflecting this consumptive coagulopathy.

The other organisms listed can cause septicemia, but they are not as strongly linked to DIC and purpura fulminans as Neisseria meningitidis.