Severe thrombocytopenia secondary to cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent adult.

A healthy 38-year-old man presented with a short history of a viral syndrome, accompanied by purpura and gingival bleeding. Examination of the blood showed a profound thrombocytopenia. Cytomegalovirus infection was diagnosed and a causal relationship between CMV infection and thrombocytopenia was assumed on clinical grounds. We successfully treated the patient with oral prednisone. In the discussion, we briefly mention the different hypothetical mechanisms leading to autoimmune thrombocytopenia.