Miliary Tuberculosis With Immune Thrombocytopenia in 50‐Year‐Old Ethiopian Woman: A Case Report and Brief Review of Literature

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Authors: Hayatu Awel Abdela, Tamirat Godebo Woyimo, Ragasa Getachew Bayisa, Sisay Tagese Tafese
Cited by: 0
References: 23

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a rare but recognized hematologic complication of tuberculosis (TB), particularly miliary TB. We present a case of a 50-year-old female with severe thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic manifestations secondary to miliary TB. The patient presented with mucocutaneous bleeding, anemia, and constitutional symptoms. Investigations revealed severe thrombocytopenia (11,000/μL), erythroid hyperplasia on bone marrow aspiration, and radiographic findings consistent with miliary TB, later confirmed by sputum GeneXpert. Management included short-course high-dose dexamethasone for acute bleeding, followed by anti-tuberculosis therapy (ATT), which led to sustained platelet recovery without further immunosuppression. This case highlights miliary TB as a reversible cause of secondary ITP and underscores the importance of investigating underlying infections in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia in TB-endemic regions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Platelet Disorders and Treatments Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis

Publication details

Journal / source
Clinical Case Reports
Volume
14
Issue
2
Pages
e71922–e71922
Publication date
26 January 2026
Language
EN