Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with Brucella infection is highly responsive to combined plasma infusion and antimicrobial therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of brucella infection presenting with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) that responded well to plasma and antimicrobial treatment infusion.

CASE PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

A 51-year-old man with moderate confusion, depressed mood and dysarthria was admitted. He was chronically ill, with fever (38.5 degrees C), anemia, jaundice and petechial-purpuric skin lesions. Neurological examination revealed diminished consciousness with a Glasgow coma scale score of 7 and +1 neck rigidity. The hemoglobin and platelet counts were decreased and reticulocyte index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as well as serum lactate dehydrogenase and renal dysfunction were elevated. TTP was a possible diagnosis and the patient responded well to plasma infusion and antimicrobial treatment.

CONCLUSION

This report shows that therapy of underlying infection together with plasma infusion may be a successful treatment option for brucellosis-induced TTP.