Immune thrombocytopenia, severe hematological consequence in a patient with COVID-19: A case report
Oana-Viola Badulescu1, Diana Popescu2, Manuela Ciocoiu1
1Department of Pathophysiology, 'Grigore T. Popa' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.
Insights
This case report highlights a rare instance of severe immune thrombocytopenia in an asymptomatic patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It underscores the importance of considering COVID-19 in differential diagnoses, even with mild symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents with diverse clinical and biological manifestations.
- Commonly observed changes include lymphopenia and mild thrombocytopenia.
- Coagulopathy and elevated inflammatory markers are frequent in COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of severe immune thrombocytopenia in an asymptomatic COVID-19 positive individual.
- To emphasize the need for differential diagnosis in patients with thrombocytopenia and COVID-19.
- To highlight a rare complication of COVID-19 infection.
Main Methods:
- Case report presentation.
- Review of clinical and laboratory findings.
- Discussion of immune thrombocytopenia in the context of COVID-19.
Main Results:
- An asymptomatic patient with COVID-19 developed severe immune thrombocytopenia.
- This presentation is atypical, as severe thrombocytopenia is rarely reported in COVID-19.
- The case suggests a potential link between asymptomatic COVID-19 and severe hematological complications.
Conclusions:
- Immune thrombocytopenia can occur in asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.
- Testing for COVID-19 should be considered in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia.
- This case expands the spectrum of COVID-19-associated hematological disorders.
Abstract:
Since the first appearance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), multiple studies have focused on this novel coronavirus. Within a few months, the clinical and paraclinical manifestations and the mechanisms by which these changes are induced were elaborated. Clinically, the virus mainly causes the common cold, but can also result in severe or fatal pneumonia/acute respiratory syndrome. Regarding the biological changes, similar to any other virus, it can lead to a reduced lymphocyte count. The second most common change is represented by a reduced thrombocyte count. Furthermore, most patients have blood clotting abnormalities, inflammatory syndrome, raised D-dimer and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Detection of immune thrombocytopenia in asymptomatic patients who tested positive for COVID-19 justifies the need to perform differential diagnosis and testing for COVID-19. Typically, patients with severe forms of COVID-19 develop mild thrombocytopenia, while severe thrombocytopenia is rarely reported. The aim of this case report was to present the situation in which one asymptomatic patient who tested positive for COVID-19 developed severe immune thrombocytopenia.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction