Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a case of brucellosis.

Abstract

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by disseminated thrombotic occlusions located in the microcirculation and a syndrome of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, and renal and neurologic abnormalities. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is encountered in a variety of clinical situations such as viral, bacterial, and mycobacterial infections, autoimmune disorders, drug reactions, connective tissue disease, and solid tumors. In this report, we present TTP in a case of brucellosis because of rare presentation. A 7-year-old girl was admitted with the complaints of headache, fever, hematuria, malaise, jaundice, epistaxis, and purpura. Her physical examination revealed conjunctival pallor, scleral icterus, petechial-purpuric skin lesions on both legs, and confusion. Laboratory tests showed hematocrit 14%; hemoglobin 4.8 g/dL; platelet count 6000/mm(3), and reticulocytosis 6%. Peripheral blood smear revealed fragmented red blood cells and a complete absence of platelets. The clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with TTP. Serum antibrucella titration agglutination test was found to be 1/1280 positive.

• Authors: Sinan Akbayram, Murat Dogan, Erdal Peker, Cihangir Akgun, Ahmet Faik Oner, Hüseyin Caksen
• Journal: Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis (Clin Appl Thromb Hemost) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 245-7 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1938-2723 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20211921 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Brucellosis (blood, complications, pathology, therapy)
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic (blood, etiology, pathology, therapy)