Familial acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: ADAMTS13 inhibitory autoantibodies in identical twins

JD Studt, JAK Hovinga, R Radonic, V Gasparovic… - Blood, 2004 - ashpublications.org
JD Studt, JAK Hovinga, R Radonic, V Gasparovic, D Ivanovic, M Merkler, U Wirthmueller…
Blood, 2004ashpublications.org
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) either occurs in a congenital form caused by
ADAMTS13 gene mutations or it is acquired and most often due to ADAMTS13 inhibitory
autoantibodies. In congenital TTP siblings are often affected, while acquired TTP occurs
sporadically and familial clustering has not been described so far. We report identical twin
sisters suffering from acquired TTP due to immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies
inactivating ADAMTS13, suggesting an important role of hitherto unidentified genetic …
Abstract
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) either occurs in a congenital form caused by ADAMTS13 gene mutations or it is acquired and most often due to ADAMTS13 inhibitory autoantibodies. In congenital TTP siblings are often affected, while acquired TTP occurs sporadically and familial clustering has not been described so far. We report identical twin sisters suffering from acquired TTP due to immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies inactivating ADAMTS13, suggesting an important role of hitherto unidentified genetic determinants of ADAMTS13 inhibitor formation. These cases also demonstrate that familial clustering is not sufficient for unambiguously diagnosing hereditary ADAMTS13 deficiency and congenital TTP. (Blood. 2004;103:4195-4197)
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