ADAMTS13 LEVELS IN HIV INFECTED PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT TTP

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a life-threateningdisease characterised by microvascular platelet deposition andthrombus formation in selected organs with resultingmicroangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, renal failure, neurologicalsymptoms and thrombocytopenia. Typically a very rare disorder,TTP is being seen with increased frequency in patients infectedwith the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Deficiency of theVon Willebrand factor cleavage protease, also known asADAMTS13, has been implicated as a major aetiological factor inTTP. However, before studying the role of ADAMTS13 in HIVrelated TTP, it is necessary to know the normal values ofADAMTS13 levels in the population group in question becauselower ADAMTS13 levels had been reported in other populationssuch as the Chinese. It is also necessary to know whether HIVinfection in the absence of TTP has any effect on ADAMTS13levels.