THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA ASSOCIATED WITH HIV-INFECTION - REPORT OF 2 CASES

We report two cases of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in ad vanced stage HIV-positive patients (CD4(+) < 0.05 x 10(9)/L). Clinical symptoms were relevant, but their course was not fulminant; the two p atients responded to different therapies (plasma or plasma plus plasma pheresis, and steroids), showing rapid improvement in symptoms. One pa tient remained asymptomatic with zidovudine only, while the other rela psed (probably due to an intercurrent infection). This second person i s now asymptomatic on zidovudine plus low doses of steroids.