Rituximab therapy for refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and autoimmune-mediated thrombocytopenia in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) rarely occurs in the setting of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); when it does occur it has a high mortality rate and is refractory to conventional treatment. No clear treatment guidelines exist when refractory TTP occurs in the setting of SLE. A 24-year-old male patient presented with TTP in the setting of SLE that was refractory to conventional treatment but responded to rituximab.