An Early Unexpected Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Relapse Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has been reported as a possible triggering factor for the development of several autoimmune diseases and inflammatory dysregulation. Here, we present a case report of a woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome, presenting with concurrent COVID-19 infection and immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). The patient was treated with plasma exchange, steroids, and caplacizumab with initial good response to therapy. The course of both TTP and COVID-19 disease was mild. However, after ADAMTS-13 activity was normalized, the patient experienced an early unexpected TTP relapse manifested by intravascular hemolysis with stable platelet counts requiring further treatment. Only 3 cases of COVID-19 associated TTP were reported in the literature thus far. We summarize the literature and suggest that COVID-19 could act as a trigger for TTP, with good outcomes if recognized and treated early.