Testicular thrombotic microangiopathy: An unrecognized complication

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Aug;68(8):e29128. doi: 10.1002/pbc.29128. Epub 2021 May 21.

Abstract

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) causes global endothelial damage and multiorgan injury. No study has described reproductive organ involvement in TMA. Our study aimed to characterize testicular involvement in TMA. We reviewed autopsies from four patients who underwent hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) complicated by TMA. Three patients had striking histologic evidence of TMA, while the fourth had normal testicular histology. This suggests that TMA injures the testicles and may adversely affect fertility. There is now an urgent need for a larger analysis of reproductive organ involvement in TMA.

Keywords: fertility; hematopoietic cell transplant; thrombotic microangiopathy; vascular biology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure
  • Testis / pathology
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies* / etiology