Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with interferon therapy in a HIV and HCV co-infected woman

• Published in: La revue de medecine interne Vol. 34; no. 12; pp. 773 - 775
• Main Authors: Michaux, C, Randrianasolo, D, Vandenhende, M-A, Hessamfar, M, Morlat, P, Bonnet, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.12.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Antiviral Agents - administration & dosage; Antiviral Agents - adverse effects; Coinfection - drug therapy; Female; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C - drug therapy; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV-1; Humans; Interferon-alpha - administration & dosage; Interferon-alpha - adverse effects; Polyethylene Glycols - administration & dosage; Polyethylene Glycols - adverse effects; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic - chemically induced; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic - diagnosis; Recombinant Proteins - administration & dosage; Recombinant Proteins - adverse effects; Ribavirin - administration & dosage; Ribavirin - adverse effects; Purpura thrombotique thrombocytopénique; Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; Interferon; Interféron
• ISSN: 1768-3122
• DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2013.03.003

Causes of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are multiple and rarely iatrogenic. A 40-year-old, HIV and hepatitis C virus co-infected woman was treated with interferon and ribavirine and developed a TTP confirmed by the presence of anti-ADAMTS 13 antibodies. The outcome was favourable when treatment was discontinued and rituximab infusion administered. The occurrence of anemia and thrombocytopenia in patients treated with interferon and ribavirine is not always related to direct toxicities of these treatments. The ADAMS 13 testing may help the clinician to diagnose iatrogenic acquired TTP.