Severe thrombocytopenic purpura due to rubella infection in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

We report the case of a woman suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus who developed a severe thrombocytopenic purpura (platelet count < 1 x 10(9)/l) secondary to rubella infection. The search for antiplatelet antibodies revealed transient circulating anti-GPIIb-IIIa and anti-GPIb-IX platelet antibodies. After a few weeks, bound anti-GPIIb-IIIa antiplatelet antibodies were still detectable and they persisted several months after recovery, probably in relation to a mild autoimmune thrombocytopenia related to systemic lupus erythematosus. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of severe thrombocytopenic purpura due to rubella in an adult with systemic lupus erythematosus.