[A case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with systemic lupus erythematosus]

We described a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A-60-year old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever, disconsciousness, and general fatigue. 32 years ago, she was diagnosed as SLE with Raynaud's phenomenon, rash, photosensitivity, arthritis, lymphocytopenia, and ANA. Her SLE was well controlled with 10 mg predonisolone as a maintance dose until several weeks ago. On admission, severe thrombocytopenia (0.7x10(4)/microl) and other laboratory data revealed microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and renal dysfunction, Immediately after diagnosed as TTP, plasma exchange and corticosteroid therapy started. In spite of the treatment, disconsciousness progressed and systemic convulsion occurred and died 4 days after admission. Autopsied examination revealed diffuse microvascular hyalinized thrombi in heart, kidney, liver, spleen, and pancreas. Some microvascular thrombi were detected in lymph nodes, bone marrow, intestine. Pathological diagnosis of TTP was made on microvascular hyalinized platelet thrombi in organs. Von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (VWF-CP) activity in plasma on set is less than 0.5 percent of normal and inhibitor for VWF-CP was detected. We here report a valuable case for analysis of pathogenesis in SLE-TTP.