title: Immune-mediated thrombocytopenic purpura associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in an immunocompetent patient.
abstract: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in immunocompetent adults is usually asymptomatic and needs no specific therapy. We report the case of a 16-year-old previous healthy adolescent who presented with bleeding due to immune-mediated thrombocytopenic purpura during an acute acquired T. gondii infection. Treatment with prednisolone and immunoglobulin resulted in a relative increase in the platelet count. Taking into account the fact that the patient became immunocompromised under corticosteroids, specific antitoxoplasmal treatment has been added. The difficulties in treatment decision in this rare case are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital, Athens, Greece. kostam@ath.forthnet.gr
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deutsch
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nezi
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kountouras
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belegrati
authors.forename: Themistocles
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kalmantis
authors.forename: Spiros P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Dourakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000276:immunology; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D011239:Prednisolone