Relapse of congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, after spontaneous remission, in a second-trimester primigravida: case report and review of the literature / Recidiva, após remissão espontânea, de púrpura trombocitopênica trombótica congênita em primigesta no segundo trimestre de gestação: relato de caso e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT CONTEXT: Thrombotic microangiopathy syndrome or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS) describes distinct diseases sharing common pathological features: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, without any other apparent cause. CASE REPORT: An 18-year-old second-trimester primigravida presented with a history of fifteen days of intense weakness, followed by diarrhea over the past six days. She reported having had low platelets since childhood, but said that she had never had bleeding or menstrual abnormalities. Laboratory investigation showed anemia with schistocytes, thrombocytopenia and hypohaptoglobulinemia. Red blood cell concentrate and platelet transfusions were performed. The hypothesis of TTP or HUS was put forward and ADAMTS13 enzyme activity was investigated. The patient evolved with increasing platelet counts, even without specific treatment, and she was discharged. One month afterwards, she returned presenting weakness and swollen face and legs, which had developed one day earlier. The ADAMTS13 activity was less than 5%, without presence of autoantibodies. Regarding the two previous admissions (at 9 and 16 years of age), with similar clinical features, there was spontaneous remission on the first occasion and, on the second, the diagnosis of TTP was suspected and plasmapheresis was performed, but ADAMTS13 activity was not investigated. CONCLUSION: To date, this is the only report of congenital TTP with two spontaneous remissions in the literature This report reveals the importance of suspicion of this condition in the presence of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia without any other apparent cause.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A síndrome de microangiopatia trombótica, ou púrpura trombocitopênica trombótica-síndrome hemolítico urêmica (PTT-SHU), descreve doenças diversas com clínica e achados patológicos comuns: anemia hemolítica microangiopática e trombocitopenia, na ausência de outra causa aparente. RELATO DO CASO: Primigesta de 18 anos no segundo trimestre apresenta-se com quadro de 15 dias de fraqueza intensa seguida por diarreia há seis dias. Relata ter plaquetas baixas desde a infância e nega sangramentos e anormalidades menstruais. Investigação laboratorial identificou anemia com esquizócitos, plaquetopenia e hipo-haptoglobulinemia. Foi realizada transfusão de plaquetas e concentrado de hemácias. A hipótese de PTT ou SHU foi aventada e realizou-se pesquisa da atividade da enzima ADAMTS13. A paciente evoluiu com elevação das plaquetas, mesmo sem tratamento específico, tendo alta. Retornou após um mês da alta com queixa de fraqueza há um dia e inchaço de face e pernas. A atividade da ADAMTS13 foi menor que 5%, sem autoanticorpos. Nas duas internações anteriores (aos 9 e 16 anos), com quadros similares, houve remissão espontânea na primeira internação e, na segunda, o diagnóstico de PTT foi suspeitado e foi realizada plasmaférese, porém sem a pesquisa da atividade da ADAMTS13. CONCLUSÃO: Até esta data, este é único relato de TTP congênita com duas remissões espontâneas na literatura. Este relato revela a importância da suspeição desta patologia na presença de anemia hemolítica microangiopática e trombocitopenia sem outra causa aparente.

Relapse of congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, after spontaneous remission, in a second-trimester primigravida: case report and review of the literature.

CONTEXT: Thrombotic microangiopathy syndrome or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP-HUS) describes distinct diseases sharing common pathological features: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, without any other apparent cause. CASE REPORT: An 18-year-old second-trimester primigravida presented with a history of fifteen days of intense weakness, followed by diarrhea over the past six days. She reported having had low platelets since childhood, but said that she had never had bleeding or menstrual abnormalities. Laboratory investigation showed anemia with schistocytes, thrombocytopenia and hypohaptoglobulinemia. Red blood cell concentrate and platelet transfusions were performed. The hypothesis of TTP or HUS was put forward and ADAMTS13 enzyme activity was investigated. The patient evolved with increasing platelet counts, even without specific treatment, and she was discharged. One month afterwards, she returned presenting weakness and swollen face and legs, which had developed one day earlier. The ADAMTS13 activity was less than 5%, without presence of autoantibodies. Regarding the two previous admissions (at 9 and 16 years of age), with similar clinical features, there was spontaneous remission on the first occasion and, on the second, the diagnosis of TTP was suspected and plasmapheresis was performed, but ADAMTS13 activity was not investigated. CONCLUSION: To date, this is the only report of congenital TTP with two spontaneous remissions in the literature This report reveals the importance of suspicion of this condition in the presence of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia without any other apparent cause.

[Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura in Martinique: Retrospective study between 2008 and 2015]. / Le purpura thrombotique thrombocytopénique à la Martinique : étude rétrospective entre 2008 et 2015.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies suggest that thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) occurs more often in African Americans. However there is low evidence for this in the literature. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical and biological characteristics of TTP in the Afro-Caribbean population of Martinique. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all patients with TTP diagnosed at the Fort-de-France hospital between 2008, January 1st and 2015, December 31st. Diagnosis was confirmed if ADAMTS-13 activity was<10 %. RESULTS: Ten patients were included, corresponding to an average annual incidence of 3.2 cases/year/million individuals. None of the patient presented with the association of the five characteristic features of TTP. Microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and severe peripheral thrombocytopenia (median: 13G/L) was the main presentation leading to diagnosis. There was no kidney involvement in 90 % of all patients, but severe neurological manifestations occurred in 70 %. Classical management including corticosteroids and plasma exchanges allowed clinical remission in 6 out of the 10 cases. If necessary, rituximab or cyclophosphamide was used. The overall survival rate was 90 %. CONCLUSION: In Martinique, the incidence of TTP is twice that reported in similar studies in France. Clinical manifestations seem to differ by more common and more severe neurological involvement. Mortality is low, in part, due to optimal care.