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Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Case report

Thrombotic microangiopathy as first manifestation of acute human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report and review of the literature

Authors: M. Sarmiento, M. E. Balcells, P. Ramirez

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

We present the case of a patient with acute human immunodeficiency virus infection and a thrombotic microangiopathy as the first clinical manifestation, a presentation that has not, to the best of our knowledge, been previously reported.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old Bolivian man presented with epistaxis and thrombocytopenia. We found microangiopathic anemia, lymphopenia, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, progressive acute renal failure, negative direct antiglobulin test, and normal activity of ADAMTS13. An human immunodeficiency virus ELISA test was negative, with an human immunodeficiency virus viral load of 10,000,000 RNA copies/mL. Antiretroviral therapy and three sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange were able to control thrombotic microangiopathy.

Conclusions

Hematologic manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection are frequent. However, the debut of acute human immunodeficiency virus infection with thrombotic microangiopathy is a rare event. A high index of suspicion and early treatment is required.
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Metadata
Title
Thrombotic microangiopathy as first manifestation of acute human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report and review of the literature
Authors
M. Sarmiento
M. E. Balcells
P. Ramirez
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-016-0938-z

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