title: A Case of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Rabies Vaccination.
abstract: We describe a case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) occurring 15 days after the first dose of a 4-dose rabies vaccination series. ITP is thought to be an immune-mediated process triggered by an infection or toxin. There is little evidence in the literature beyond case reports of an association of ITP with vaccines other than with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. This is the third reported case of ITP associated with rabies vaccination. Because of the rare occurrence of this adverse event relative to the severity of rabies infection, the benefits of rabies vaccination, when indicated, outweigh the low and possible risk of ITP.
authors.affiliation: *Division of Hematology/Oncology ‡Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO †Division of General Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN.
authors.forename: Joy M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fulbright
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Pahud
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000209:etiology*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D011819:Rabies Vaccines