Abstract

CASE REPORT ON IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP)

Bissy B. Treesa*, Jenipher Sweetlin Joseph, Ajay Sairaj Asokan, Sandhiya Kannan, Infant Smily Alphonse, Subadhra Devi J. and Venkatanarayanan R.

ABSTRACT

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an immune-mediated acquired disease found in both adults and children. It is characterized by transient or persistent decreases in the platelet count. We report a case of ITP detected based on symptoms of purpuric rashes. The patient was a 40 years old female with no significant past medical history. She presented with sudden onset of purpuric rashes since 2 days. Laboratory tests revealed severe thrombocytopenia with a platelet count less than 1000/cumm. Under a provisional diagnosis of a hematological disorder, she was admitted in department of general medicine. The peripheral blood smear was examined, which revealed no abnormalities in differential leukocyte count or erythrocytic morphology. However, the platelet was reduced in number and occasional giant platelet were present. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed to be normocytic normochromic blood picture with thrombocytopenia. An underneath test for the presence of parasite was negative. The patient was diagnosed with ITP and treated with a pulsed steroid therapy. Her platelets rapidly increased, and no further dermal complication were reported. Dermal symptoms can be one of the initial manifestations of ITP, dermatologist should be familiar with the clinical appearance of ITP, and attention must be paid to detect and diagnose unidentified cases.

Keywords: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, Purpuric rashes, Platelets, Corticosteroids, Haematological problems.