Two cases of thrombocytopenic purpura at onset of Zika virus infection

Abstract

We report here two cases of thrombocytopenic purpura at onset of Zika virus infection. A 26-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man had thrombocytopenia above 5×10(9) platelets/L. Hemorrhagic symptoms were mucosal and subcutaneous bleeding and gross hematuria and they reported episode of conjunctivitis. In both cases blood and bone marrow analysis suggested thrombocytopenic purpura, blood PCR tests for Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) were negative. In both cases urinary PCR for ZIKV was positive, Prednisolone yielded early remission. Only three similar cases have been reported so far. In the Caribbean, DENV is also epidemic and responsible for severe thrombocytopenia. Coinfections can occur. Our report underlines the need to include a ZIKV assay in the diagnostic work-up of thrombocytopenic purpura in epidemic areas.

Keywords: Thrombocytopenia; Zika.