Idiopathic thrombocytopenia after cytomegalovirus infection in a renal transplant recipient.
Infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a frequent complication of organ transplantation and presents a spectrum of disease ranging from asymptomatic viremia to life-threatening tissue-invasive disease. CMV is also lymphotrophic, with the potential to induce autoimmune disease, although immunosuppressive therapy may prevent or attenuate the clinical course in transplant patients. We report a case of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura occurring in a renal transplant recipient after primary CMV infection and discuss the possible mechanisms involved.
McLaughlin
K
K
Departments of Nephrology and Hematology, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada. kevinmclaughlin1@ compuserve.com
Cruickshank
M
M
Hollomby
D
D
Jevnikar
A
A
Muirhead
N
N
D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000209:etiology*