Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura associated with chronic HCV infection

BackgroundThrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a potentially lethal microvascular thrombotic disorder.Case presentationIn this study, we report a 32 years old woman who suffered from undifferentiated vasculitis with marked improvement on steroids and cyclophosphamide. Two years later, hepatitis C virus infection was discovered. Decision for interferon therapy was not recommended at this stage and the patient remained stable for the following 7 years. In January 2009, pegylated interferon and ribavirin were started due to worsening of her hepatitis; the treatment was stopped after 12 weeks due to the absence of any virologic response. Fourteen months later, she developed severe uncontrolled thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura that led eventually to her death.ConclusionWe report this rare case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura that may directly be related to chronic HCV infection rather than to interferon therapy.