A case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with COVID-19

Abstract

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an autoimmune disease that can be triggered by different events, including viral infections. It presents as thrombotic microangiopathy and can lead to severe complications that often require management in the intensive care unit (ICU). We report a patient who presented with acquired TTP following COVID-19 infection. A 44-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with severe anemia, acute kidney injury and respiratory failure due to COVID-19. Clinical and laboratory findings were suggestive for thrombotic microangiopathy. On day 8 laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of acquired TTP. The patient needed 14 plasma exchanges, treatment with steroids, rituximab and caplacizumab and 18 days of mechanical ventilation. She completely recovered and was discharged home on day 51. Acquired TTP can be triggered by different events leading to immune stimulation. COVID-19 has been associated with different inflammatory and auto-immune diseases. Considering the temporal sequence and the lack of other possible causes, we suggest that COVID-19 infection could have been the triggering factor in the development of TTP. Since other similar cases have already been described, possible association between COVID and TTP deserves further investigation.