Genotype and Phenotype Correlation in Hereditary Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (Upshaw-Schulman Syndrome)

Hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (Upshaw-Schulman syndrome) is a rare disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia as a result of platelet consumption, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, occlusion of the microvasculature with von Willebrand factor-platelet-thrombic and ischemic end organ damage. The underlying patho-mechanism is a severe congenital ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 13) deficiency which is the result of compound heterozygous or homozygous ADAMTS13 gene mutations.

Although considered a monogenic disorder the clinical presentation in Upshaw-Schulman syndrome patients varies considerably without an apparent genotype-phenotype correlation. In 2006 we have initiated a registry for patients with Upshaw-Schulman syndrome and their family members to identify possible triggers of acute bouts of TTP, to document individual clinical courses and treatment requirements as well as possible side effects of long standing plasma substitution, e.g. alloantibody formation or viral infections.