Recurrent Cerebral Hemorrhaging with Platelet Dysfunction Accompanied by Anti-glycoprotein VI Autoantibodies in a Patient with TAFRO Syndrome

Intern Med. 2024;63(13):1917-1922. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2799-23. Epub 2024 Jul 1.

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome is an inflammatory disorder with an unclear pathogenesis. We herein report a case of TAFRO syndrome in remission in a patient who experienced recurrent intracranial bleeding despite a normal platelet count and coagulation system. A further investigation suggested the presence of anti-glycoprotein VI (GPVI) autoantibodies in the plasma, which induced platelet dysfunction and bleeding tendency. No new bleeding or relapse of TAFRO syndrome occurred after immunosuppressive therapy was initiated. These findings may help elucidate the autoimmune pathogenesis of TAFRO syndrome.

Keywords: GPVI deficiency; TAFRO syndrome; anti-glycoprotein VI (GPVI) autoantibody; platelet dysfunction; recurrent cerebral hemorrhaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies* / blood
  • Autoantibodies* / immunology
  • Blood Platelet Disorders / blood
  • Blood Platelet Disorders / complications
  • Blood Platelet Disorders / immunology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / blood
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / immunology
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Fever / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Recurrence*
  • Syndrome
  • Thrombocytopenia / blood
  • Thrombocytopenia / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins
  • platelet membrane glycoprotein VI