"Pseudopurpura"

To the Editor:—  A recent letter (206:649, 1968) emphasized the occurrence of thrombocytopenia with purpura as an integral feature of many acute viral and rickettsial infections. Since then we have observed a 40-year-old man who presented with an acute respiratory infection and purpuric lesions over his trunk and shoulders. He was initially thought to have thrombocytopenia with purpura secondary to his acute infection. Consultation with several physicians was immediately obtained, and all agreed that hospitalization with hematologic evaluation was necessary. During the discussion, however, one astute physician noted that the patient's folded T-shirt contained numerous purple stains. Further investigation revealed that a few days previously the patient had left an ink pen in his T-shirt pocket. His wife had washed the conglomeration in her washing machine, and the patient subsequently wore the T-shirt without noticing the stains. A therapeutic trial of soap and water to the patient's skin brought