Case Report
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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2014; 20(25): 8304-8308
Published online Jul 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i25.8304
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura induced by intestinal tuberculosis in a liver transplant recipient
Renata dos Santos Lugao, Marina Pamponet Motta, Matheus Freitas Cardoso de Azevedo, Roque Gabriel Rezende de Lima, Flávia de Azevedo Abrantes, Edson Abdala, Flair José Carrilho, Daniel Ferraz de Campos Mazo
Renata dos Santos Lugao, Marina Pamponet Motta, Matheus Freitas Cardoso de Azevedo, Roque Gabriel Rezende de Lima, Flair José Carrilho, Daniel Ferraz de Campos Mazo, Hepatology Branch, Clinical Division, Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
Flávia de Azevedo Abrantes, Edson Abdala, Liver and Gastrointestinal Transplant Division, Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
Flávia de Azevedo Abrantes, Edson Abdala, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil
Author contributions: Lugao RS, Motta MP, de Azevedo MFC and Mazo DFC cared for the patient, analysed the data and wrote the manuscript; de Lima RGR and Abrantes FA cared for the patient; Abdala E cared for the patient and analysed the data; Carrilho FJ analysed the data.
Correspondence to: Daniel Ferraz de Campos Mazo, MD, PhD, Hepatology Branch, Clinical Division, Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, Av Dr Eneas de Carvalho Aguiar 255, 9° andar, sala 9159, São Paulo 05403-000, Brazil. daniel.mazo@hc.fm.usp.br
Telephone: +55-11-26616447 Fax: +55-11-26617830
Received: December 17, 2013
Revised: February 9, 2014
Accepted: March 19, 2014
Published online: July 7, 2014
Processing time: 198 Days and 13.3 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: This is the report of a rare case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) associated with intestinal tuberculosis. In approximately 50% of ITP cases, the aetiology is not identifiable. The most common secondary causes are systemic lupus erythematosus, lymphoproliferative diseases, HIV infection and drugs. It is difficult to make a diagnosis of tuberculosis-related ITP, and timely therapy is important. This association should be considered in cases of ITP that are unresponsive to steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, especially in immunocompromised patients and those from endemic areas.