title: A case of refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura treated with plasmapheresis and rituximab.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, life-threatening disorder with no prevalence or incidence studies in sub-Saharan Africa. Acquired TTP has several causes, all of which lead to decreased activity of von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (ADAMTS13) due to autoantibodies that are directed towards ADAMTS13. We report a case of a 46-year-old man who presented with most of the classic clinical manifestations of TTP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. kirui.leitich@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kirui
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sokwala
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab