Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura due to vivax malaria in the Brazilian Amazon.
We describe a rare case of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) triggered by Plasmodium vivax infection. The patient developed thrombocytopenia and bleeding associated with three episodes of malaria, and became dependent on corticosteroid therapy. The mechanisms by which this parasite evokes thrombocytopenia remain obscure.
Lacerda
M V G
MV
Laboratory of Malaria, Tropical Medicine Foundation of Amazonas, Avenida Pedro Teixeira 25, 69.040-000 Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. marcuslacerda@uol.com.br
Alexandre
M A A
MA
Santos
P D
PD
Arcanjo
A R L
AR
Alecrim
W D
WD
Alecrim
M G C
MG
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D006801:Humans; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012008:Recurrence