TY - JOUR
T1 - Thrombocytopenic purpura associated with Brucellosis
T2 - Report of 2 cases and literature review
AU - Young, E. J.
AU - Tarry, A.
AU - Genta, R. M.
AU - Ayden, N.
AU - Gotuzzo, E.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Mild hematologic abnormalities are common in the course of human brucellosis; however, they generally resolve promptly with treatment of the disease. Occasionally, thrombocytopenia is severe and can be associated with bleeding into the skin (purpura) and from mucosal sites. We describe 2 patients infected with Brucella melitensis who presented with thrombocytopenic purpura, and we review 41 additional cases from the literature. Patients ranged in age from 2 to 77 years, and both sexes were affected equally. In the majority of cases, examination of the bone marrow revealed abundant megakaryocytes. Possible mechanisms involved in thrombocytopenia include hypersplenism, reactive hemophagocytosis, and immune destruction of platelets. Recognition of this complication is essential, since hemorrhage into the central nervous system is associated with a high mortality rate.
AB - Mild hematologic abnormalities are common in the course of human brucellosis; however, they generally resolve promptly with treatment of the disease. Occasionally, thrombocytopenia is severe and can be associated with bleeding into the skin (purpura) and from mucosal sites. We describe 2 patients infected with Brucella melitensis who presented with thrombocytopenic purpura, and we review 41 additional cases from the literature. Patients ranged in age from 2 to 77 years, and both sexes were affected equally. In the majority of cases, examination of the bone marrow revealed abundant megakaryocytes. Possible mechanisms involved in thrombocytopenia include hypersplenism, reactive hemophagocytosis, and immune destruction of platelets. Recognition of this complication is essential, since hemorrhage into the central nervous system is associated with a high mortality rate.
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U2 - 10.1086/318129
DO - 10.1086/318129
M3 - Article
C2 - 11049768
AN - SCOPUS:0034450715
SN - 1058-4838
VL - 31
SP - 904
EP - 909
JO - Clinical Infectious Diseases
JF - Clinical Infectious Diseases
IS - 4
ER -