Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: report of a case with possible immune etiology.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura endothelium and in thrombi in small (UP) is a disorder of unknown etiblood vessels in multiple organs. ology. An immunologic basis has been These findings suggest an active imsuggested, although proof is lacking. munologic process in this case. While The immunologic, hematologic, and UP is probably of diverse etiology, autopsy findings in a case of TTP occonfirmation of these findings in curring 6 wk postpartum are described. further cases would provide a rational Immunofluorescent studies revealed basis for the use of immunosuppresthe presence of 1gM and complement, sive therapy. as well as fibrin in the vicinity of the T HE FIRST CASE of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) was described by Moschcowitz in 1925.1 Over 300 cases have now been reported. In this article we describe the immunologic, hematologic, and autopsy changes observed in a case of TTP and provide evidence that at least in some cases an immunologic process may be responsible.