Glanzmann thrombasthenia associated with HIV-Positive patient: A case report

Abstract

Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia (GT) is an autosomal recessive
inherited platelet function defect characterized by normal
platelet count, prolonged bleeding time and abnormal clot
retraction. This disease typically presents in infancy or early
childhood and has proven to have very good prognosis. In
this case study, a 22‑year‑old GT patient who also developed
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after sometime is reported. The patient showed oral manifestations of gingival hyperplasia and petechial lesions. Unfortunately the detection of both thrombasthenia and HIV were done at considerably late stages which contributed to a poor prognosis. The patient died of cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to HIV, thrombasthenia and thrombocytopenia. The importance of early detection, supportive care and communication between the general and oral physician in management of the GT is also discussed.

Keywords: IIb/IIIa glycoprotein complex, gingival hyperplasia, Glanzmann thrombasthenia, human immunodeficiency virus, thrombocytopenia