title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with Brucella infection.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by disseminated thrombotic occlusions located in the microcirculation and a syndrome of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia, fever, and renal and neurologic abnormalities. Although several factors such as viral and bacterial pathogens, pancreatitis, drugs, collagen-vascular diseases, cancers, and pregnancy have been reported to be associated with TTP, brucellosis is an exceptional cause of this disorder. We represent a 19-year-old woman applying to our outpatient department with the complaints of headache, fever, sweat, malaise, and jaundice. Clinical signs and laboratory findings were consistent with TTP. Brucella agglutination was found to be 1/320 positive. After the administration of therapeutic plasma exchange, all symptoms and laboratory abnormalities improved dramatically. Antibiotic therapy directed to Brucella infection was initiated and no recurrence of TTP was seen.
authors.affiliation: Atatürk University Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey. kikiilhami@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ilhami
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiki
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gundogdu
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Albayrak
authors.forename: Yilmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bilgiç
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000379:methods; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents