title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in HIV infection: a report of two cases.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but well-described complication of HIV infection, which occurs equally frequently during the early asymptomatic phase of HIV infection and with clinical AIDS. The clinical spectrum varies from a low-grade asymptomatic thrombocytopenia with mild renal insufficiency to a catastrophic illness with gross neurological deficits and renal failure requiring dialysis. We report two cases of TTP associated with HIV infection seen in our institution over a period of 2 years. The clinical course of these two patients highlights the markedly heterogeneous characteristics of patients with HIV-related TTP. HIV infection may be the most common association of TTP in certain communities with a high prevalence of HIV infection. As early diagnosis and institution of plasmapheresis is crucial for a favorable outcome it is important to be aware of this association.
authors.affiliation: Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rakkar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carmosino
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mir
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011379:Prognosis; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*