Premium
Immunologic thrombocytopenia followed by thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in two HIV 1 patients
Author(s) -
Routy JeanPierre,
Beaulieu Raymond,
Monte Marc,
SaintLouis Jean,
Sauvageau Guy,
Toma Emil
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.2830380414
Subject(s) - medicine , splenectomy , thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura , asymptomatic , immunology , thrombocytopenic purpura , purpura (gastropod) , immune system , immunopathology , immune thrombocytopenia , platelet , spleen , ecology , biology
Two homosexual HIV 1 ‐positive male patients with thrombotic thrombopenic purpura (TTP) were found to have past history of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). The first patient had ITP 10 months prior to TTP and was successfully treated by splenectomy. The second patient had ITP 32 months before TTP. No specific treatment was given for his asymptomatic ITP. Association of HIV infection to TTP seems to be frequent. These two types of purpura have different pathogenic mechanisms but share a common altered immune response to antigenic challenge. The occurrence of ITP and TTP in HIV‐positive patients may lead to errors in diagnosis and therapy.