Purpura (/ˈpɜːrpjʊərə/[1]) is a condition of red or purple discolored spots on the skin that do not blanch on applying pressure.

[4] Purpura is common with typhus and can be present with meningitis caused by meningococci or septicaemia.

In particular, meningococcus (Neisseria meningitidis), a Gram-negative diplococcus organism, releases endotoxin when it lyses.

Purpura are a common and nonspecific medical sign; however, the underlying mechanism commonly involves one of: Cases of psychogenic purpura are also described in the medical literature,[6] some claimed to be due to "autoerythrocyte sensitization".

Other studies[7] suggest the local (cutaneous) activity of tissue plasminogen activator can be increased in psychogenic purpura, leading to substantial amounts of localized plasmin activity, rapid degradation of fibrin clots, and resultant bleeding.