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Case Reports
. 2019 Oct 21:34:103.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2019.34.103.20524. eCollection 2019.

A delay in diagnosis: thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura occurring in systemic lupus erythematous

Zoya Adam  1 , Ahmed Sokwala  1 , Jasmit Shah  1 , Sayed Karar Ali  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A delay in diagnosis: thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura occurring in systemic lupus erythematous

Zoya Adam et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) in the background of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) remains rare with an incidence of about 2%. Both conditions have overlapping features and can thus be difficult to differentiate and diagnose. A careful review of the peripheral blood smear remain essential often providing many clues. The diagnosis of TTP is a medical emergency and therapy should be instituted immediately. We present one such challenging case where a delay in diagnosis due to limited resources could have proven fatal for our patient.

Keywords: Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura; diagnostic challenge; systemic lupus erythematous.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Figure 1
Figure 1
Platelet count from admission to discharge
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