title: Severe Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis Presenting as Peripartum Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening illness that occurs in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Several other conditions can mimic the disease, which makes the diagnosis challenging.
  
  
  
  We describe a case of severe Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis that initially presented as peripartum TTP in a 39-year-old woman at 29+6 weeks' gestation. We give an overview of the diagnostic considerations and management of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy and review the literature related to TTP and peripartum infective endocarditis.
  
  
  
  Given the significant differences in definitive therapies for the spectrum of thrombocytopenic conditions that occur in pregnancy, timely and accurate diagnosis of TTP is critical for optimal management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Kieran L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Osmond
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Mitesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badiwala
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sermer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON; Division of Respirology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto ON.
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lapinsky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004696:Endocarditis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058725:Peripartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Infective endocarditis; pregnancy; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura