Immune thrombocytopenic purpura as a complication of Bartonella henselae infection

Infez Med. 2008 Jun;16(2):99-102.

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is an infrequent yet well-recognized complication of viral infections, such as mumps, rubella, varicella, cytomegalovirus, parvovirus and infectious monunucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus. Some recent studies have described a possible association between Henoch-Schonlein purpura, a non-thrombocytopenic purpura, and seropositivity for Bartonella henselae, but in the literature only sporadic case reports have described a severe immune thrombocytopenic purpura as a complication of Bartonella henselae infection. We report a case of an immunocompetent child with clinical and serological evidence of Bartonella henselae infection presenting with purpura and cervical lymphoadenopathy and treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. The patient obtained a rapid and persistent increase in platelet count and a complete regression of purpura.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bartonella henselae*
  • Cat-Scratch Disease / complications*
  • Cat-Scratch Disease / diagnosis
  • Cat-Scratch Disease / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Humans
  • IgA Vasculitis
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / etiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous