Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with Brucella infection is highly responsive to combined plasma infusion and antimicrobial therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of brucella infection presenting with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) that responded well to plasma and antimicrobial treatment infusion.


METHODS
A 51-year-old man with moderate confusion, depressed mood and dysarthria was admitted. He was chronically ill, with fever (38.5 degrees C), anemia, jaundice and petechial-purpuric skin lesions. Neurological examination revealed diminished consciousness with a Glasgow coma scale score of 7 and +1 neck rigidity. The hemoglobin and platelet counts were decreased and reticulocyte index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as well as serum lactate dehydrogenase and renal dysfunction were elevated. TTP was a possible diagnosis and the patient responded well to plasma infusion and antimicrobial treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This report shows that therapy of underlying infection together with plasma infusion may be a successful treatment option for brucellosis-induced TTP.
Erdem
Fuat
F
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, School of Medicine, University of Ataturk, Erzurum, Turkey. fuaterdem@yahoo.com
Kiki
Ilhami
I
Gundoğdu
Mehmet
M
Kaya
Hasan
H
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids