Seasonal Flu as a Triggering Factor for Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

A 47 year’s old Turkish patient was referred to the emergency department for bronchospastic respiratory failure. She was only treated with salbutamol for asthma since childhood and was not vaccinated against influenza virus. She was admitted to intensive care unit and an infection by influenza virus was rapidly diagnosed using immunochromatography on rhino pharyngeal secretions. On admission, her blood pressure was normal, she presented a tachycardia (110 beats/min) and tachypnea(40 breaths/min).

Examination revealed bilateral diffuse wheezing and clinical signs of respiratory distress. Initial laboratory test results were: hemoglobin level, 15 g/dL; platelet count, 57×103/mm3; blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine level, 15.6 mmol/L and 65 μmol/L, total protein, 5.7 g/dL; albumin, 3.7 g/dL; LDH, 200 UI/L, PaO2 = 52 mmHg, PaCO2 = 28 mm Hg; pH = 7.43, bicarbonates = 22 mmol/L. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>