ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The use of complement inhibition is well established for complement mediated thrombotic microangiopathy, but its role in secondary forms of thrombotic microangiopathy is debated. We here present a case of thrombotic microangiopathy triggered by Capnocytophaga canimorsus, illustrating the diagnostic difficulties in discriminating between different thrombotic microangiopathies, and the dilemmas regarding how to treat this disease entity. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 56-year-old woman presented with fever and confusion. She was diagnosed with sepsis from Capnocytophaga canimorsus and thrombotic microangiopathy. Marked activation of both T-cells, endothelium and complement were documented. She was successfully treated with antimicrobial therapy, the complement inhibitor eculizumab and splenectomy. After several weeks, a heterozygote variant in complement factor B was localized, potentially implying the diagnosis of a complement mediated TMA over an isolated infection related TMA. CONCLUSIONS: We discuss the possible interactions between complement activation and other findings in severe infection and argue that complement inhibition proved beneficial to this patient's rapid recovery.
