title: Herpes zoster-associated idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in a liver transplant recipient: a case report and overview.
abstract: Idiopathic (autoimmune) thrombocytopenic purpura has been previously reported as a rare complication in children and in a few adults following chickenpox. We report a case of varicella zoster virus-associated idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in an adult liver transplant recipient following dermatomal zoster. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura developed 3 days after the onset of herpes zoster in our patient, with a nadir platelet count of 3000/mm3. The patient was treated with intravenous gamma globulin with recovery of thrombocytopenia after 3 weeks. Transplant clinicians need to be aware that this serious and potentially life-threatening complication may occur with herpes zoster in transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15240.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gayowski
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000212:Acyclovir