Articles

An unusual mononucleosis infectiosa-like illness caused by toxoplasmosis in a B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patient

BJH - volume 10, issue 3, may 2019

J. Dierick MD, S. Debussche MD, H. Vanhouteghem PharmD, A. Luyckx MD, PhD, L. Heireman PharmD, S. Steyaert MD, R. Joos MD

The differential diagnosis of mononucleosis infectiosa (Ml)-like illness can be challenging since several infectious causes have been identified to date. The most common associated pathogen is Epstein-Barr virus, followed by cytomegalovirus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and human herpesvirus-6. Ml-like illness is rather rarely caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that is transmitted through consumption of undercooked food or contact with faeces from infected cats. In this case report, we discuss a B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patient with a Ml-like illness caused by toxoplasmosis.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2019;10(3):122–6)

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Immune-mediated early-onset neonatal thrombocytopenia: a double case presentation

BJH - volume 7, issue 5, october 2016

K. Vanhouteghem PharmD, H. Vanhouteghem PharmD, K. De Schynkel MD, K. Van Haver MD, J. Dierick MD, A. Luyckx MD, PhD

Summary

Neonatal thrombocytopenia comprises a platelet count of less than 150×109/L, with severe neonatal thrombocytopenia in case of a platelet count less than 50×109/L. Severe thrombocytopenia is an uncommon finding in newborns requiring immediate diagnostic work-up with the need for urgent intervention to avoid severe bleeding complications. Neonatal thrombocytopenia can be classified by time of onset in early-onset (<72h after birth) versus late-onset (>72h after birth) thrombocytopenia. Multiple causes may be involved. In term, otherwise healthy neonates, one important cause of early-onset thrombocytopenia is antibody-mediated platelet destruction, and this can be allo- or auto-immune-mediated. In this case presentation, we discuss two neonates with severe early-onset immune-mediated thrombocytopenia presenting simultaneously at our general hospital.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2016;7(5):188–93)

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P4.08 Two cases of immune-mediated early-onset neonatal thrombocytopenia: a case presentation

BJH - volume 6, issue Abstract Book BHS, january 2015

K. Vanhouteghem PharmD, H. Vanhouteghem PharmD, K. De Schynkel MD, K. Van Haver MD, A. Luyckx MD, PhD

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