Tuberculosis presenting as immune thrombocytopenia: a case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT

Various hematological abnormalities commonly occur in active tuberculosis [TB] but thrombocytopenia is exceedingly rare and immune thrombocytopenic purpura [ITP] is reported in only a few cases. A 28-year-old male presented with thrombocytopenia-induced epistaxis and generalized purpura that did not respond to intravenous immunoglobulin but did resolve after antituberculous treatment. The characteristics of this rarely documented association are reviewed