Photo documentation captures the findings from the autopsy of a man addicted to intravenous drugs who died of multiple organ failure due to advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) infection.
Skin examination of the deceased reveals signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), specifically petechiae and ecchymoses. DIC is a serious systemic disorder of hemostasis characterized by simultaneous activation of both the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, leading to microthrombus formation and increased bleeding. This condition can be a complication of the terminal stage of AIDS due to sepsis, severe immunodeficiency, or opportunistic infections. Repeated parenteral administration of addictive substances may also have contributed to the development of DIC, as it is associated with a heightened risk of infectious complications, endothelial damage, and systemic inflammatory response.
