THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION - DEMONSTRATION OF P24 ANTIGEN IN ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

We report a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a wom an infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in whose endotheli al cells we detected HIV p24 antigen. The patient had an excellent res ponse to conventional therapy for TTP and remained in complete remissi on 12 months after diagnosis. We also present a review of the literatu re on the association of TTP with HIV infection and speculate on its n ature. The presence of HIV p24 antigen in the endothelial cell might b e indicative of a role of virus, yet to be defined, in the pathogenesi s of HIV-associated TTP.