Rituximab therapy for refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune-mediated thrombocytopenia in systemic lupus erythematosus.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) rarely occurs in the setting of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); when it does occur it has a high mortality rate and is refractory to conventional treatment. No clear treatment guidelines exist when refractory TTP occurs in the setting of SLE. A 24-year-old male patient presented with TTP in the setting of SLE that was refractory to conventional treatment but responded to rituximab.
Hundae
Aneley
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA 31201 USA. anedallas@yahoo.com
Peskoe
Stanley
S
Grimsley
Edwin
E
Patel
Shomeet
S
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000069283:Rituximab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab