Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare (U.S. prevalence of 1 in 68, affecting ~4 million individuals) but life-threatening condition. TTP was first described by Dr. Eli Moschowitz in 1924 as a disease characterized by the unique pathological findings of hyaline thrombi in many organs, [1] later found to be largely composed of platelets [2]. A classic pentad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), fever, neurological symptoms, and renal abnormalities was described by Amorosi and Ultmann in 1966, present in 88–98% of TTP patients at that time [3]. With the advent of plasmapheresis as a first-line treatment modality for TTP, and adoption of a lower threshold for initiation of treatment, the number of patients presenting with the classic pentad decreased to 40% in 1981 [4]. With the number of patients diagnosed with TTP up to 8-fold, and the increasing use of plasmapheresis early in the course of the disease, the number of patients who now present with the classic pentad is only 5% [4]. Consequently, an essential dyad of thrombocytopenia and MAHA, in the appropriate clinical setting, is now the only requirement for establishing a diagnosis of TTP and initiating treatment [5].

It is now well established that idiopathic TTP is caused by autoantibodies against the serine protease ADAMTS-13, resulting in polymerization of its substrate, the clotting factor von Willebrand factor (vWF), while a more rare (<10%) form, Upshaw–Schulman syndrome, results from recessively inherited, inactivating ADAMTS-13 mutations [6]. The result of downregulated (<10% of normal) ADAMTS-13 activity is the endothelial deposition of large, vWF multimers, causing sheer stress upon platelets within tissue microvessels, resulting in thrombosis and thrombocytopenia, in addition to sheering of erythrocytes and hemolysis, thus effecting anemia and schistocyte formation [5][7]. The ensuing compromised blood flow, due to thrombosis and cellular injury, if untreated, results in end-stage organ damage [7]. Another condition, similar to TTP, warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA), is characterized by the production of autoantibodies directed against "self" RBCs, resulting in hemolysis, ranging in severity from mildly symptomatic to rapidly fatal [8].

As TTP is a medical emergency, suspected disease must be treated promptly [9]. While measurement of ADAMTS-13 activity is the best benchmark, its time to completion precludes its use as a sufficient diagnostic measure, upon patient presentation [10]. Consequently, following confirmation of the TTP dyad (via hematological assessment and blood smear), plasma exchange should be initiated as soon as possible [9]. Adjuvant or alternative therapies include corticosteroids, the B-cell antagonist (anti-CD20 antibody) rituximab, and other immunosuppressants, including cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide [11].

In this report, we describe a 69-year-old male presenting with an atypical case of TTP directly comorbid with WAIHA, our ensuing therapeutic interventions, and successful resolution of the pathology.

A 69-year-old Latin-American male presented at our emergency department with worsening confusion, slurred speech, and dizziness over the previous two weeks. On physical examination, the patient had stable vital signs, but generalized pallor, including skin, conjunctiva, palms, and nail beds. Neurological evaluation showed time disorientation and spontaneous speech with phonemic errors. His reading comprehension was limited to short words only, and he demonstrated minimal left upper extremity proximal paresis, deltoid 4+/5.

Hematologic evaluation revealed a 4+ pan reactive warm autoantibody [12] detected by elution, hemoglobin of 9.1 g/dl, and a platelet count of 16,000. A peripheral smear showed spherocytes and mild schistocytosis. His autoimmune profile was negative for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and normal serum complement levels. A CT scan of the brain revealed a left posterior temporal hemorrhagic stroke.

Due to his manifestation of symptoms, the patient was admitted to the neurological intensive care unit, and within the first 12 hours, he was treated with steroids alone, but exhibited a complete lack of evidence of response, resulting in the suspicion of TTP. Subsequently, a four-liter plasma volume exchange approach was initiated within the first 12 hours of admission, and every 24 hours thereafter. Following a total of six sessions of plasma exchange, his platelet count showed improvement, increasing to 192,000. One week later his pretreatment ADAMTS-13 level was less than 3%, and he was then discharged and referred for outpatient neurological rehabilitation. His progress continued, as his serial ADAMTS-13 levels recovered to optimal range, and platelet levels remained within their normal range. The warm antibody faded out with the continuum of treatment, and his peripheral smear cleared. Neurologically, at this time, he is intact.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an acute, life-threatening syndrome typically characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) [5]. There is often multi-organ involvement, with neurological and renal abnormalities being the most common and potentially, the most serious [10]. A classic pentad of thrombocytopenia, MAHA, fever, neurological abnormalities, and renal dysfunction has been described, but is rarely seen in its entirety in the present day, with a "dyad" of two major diagnostic criteria, thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), absent alternate explanation, now considered sufficient to suspect TTP and initiate treatment [5] [9]. In 1990, an association between (TTP) and autoimmune hematological (AIHA) conditions was reported in two patients. In one case, a 35-year-old male patients, suffered from AIHA for five years before the appearance of TTP. The other case was a 14-year-old female that developed the disease four years after the onset of AIHA [13]. Differential diagnoses include hemolytic uremic syndrome (usually juvenile), antiphospholipid syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus [14].

In this report, we present a unique case in which TTP was considered a differential diagnosis in a phenomena presenting concurrently with AIHA. Consequently, we decided to raise awareness of this distinct clinical presentation, and to emphasize that TTP can introduce itself with virtually any autoimmune disorder [15]. Contrary to some literature reports, these clinical presentations are not mutually exclusive, and TTP should be suspected even in the setting of a predominant population of spherocytes with mild schistocytes, [16] as evidenced by the profound deficiency of ADAMTS-13 that affected our patient.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening condition typically (but not always) associated with autoimmune or genetic inactivation of the protease ADAMTS-13, for which consistently effective therapeutic interventions remain elusive. While yet considered a rare condition, TTP is likely more common than previously believed, and due to its urgency, should be promptly be suspected in cases presenting with thrombosis and hemolysis.

We wish to thank Julio Peguero M.D, Luis T Campos M.D for providing editorial support.

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