title: Successful remission of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with rituximab in a patient with undifferentiated connective tissue disorder.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is rarely associated with undifferentiated connective tissue disorder. We present a patient with TTP, undifferentiated connective tissue disorder, and very high titer of anti-ribonucleoprotein antibodies. Her TTP did not respond to intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide requiring her to remain dependent on plasmapheresis. Her disease remitted successfully after 4 doses of rituximab given at weekly intervals and she remained in continuous remission 6 months after therapy. We propose early and aggressive use of B-cell depletion therapy in TTP associated with autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York, USA. dgupta62@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roppelt
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kunz
authors.forename: Malarvizhi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Natarajan
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gruber
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000069283:Rituximab