Active pulmonary tuberculosis manifesting with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a rare presentation

Tabarsi, Payam; Merza, Muayad Aghali; Marjani, Majid

doi:10.1016/S1413-8670(10)70126-4

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases

ISSN: 1413-8670

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases is the official publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI). It aims to publish relevant articles in the broadest sense on all aspects of microbiology, infectious diseases and immune response to infectious agents.
The BJID is a bimonthly publication and one of the most influential journals in its field in Brazil and Latin America with a high impact factor. Since its inception it has garnered a growing share of the publishing market.

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A 17-year-old girl presented with a 3-day history of epistaxis, vaginal bleeding and petechiae over the lower extremities. The patient had been feeling unwell with productive cough, fever, chills, poor appetite and weight loss for 2 months. Laboratory findings revealed anemia and thrombocytopenia, whereas bone marrow examination was unremarkable. She was diagnosed as having idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in association with active tuberculosis (TB). The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and corticosteroid along with anti-TB drugs. During the follow-up period there was no recurrence of thrombocytopenia or TB. It is important to consider TB in the differential diagnosis of ITP, particularly in high TB-burden areas.

Keywords:

idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

tuberculosis

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Medline

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