A case of purpura fulminans is caused by homozygous delta8857 mutation (protein C-nagoya) and successfully treated with activated protein C concentrate

The clinical presentation and genotype of protein C deficiency with double mutations of the protein C gene

BACKGROUND

Severe protein C (PC) deficiency is a rare heritable thrombophilia leading to thromboembolic events during the neonatal period. It remains unclear how individuals with complete PC gene (PROC) defects develop or escape neonatal stroke or purpura fulminans (PF).

PROCEDURE

We studied the onset of disease and the genotype of 22 PC-deficient patients with double mutations in PROC based on our cohort (n = 12) and the previous reports (n = 10) in Japan.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients in 20 unrelated families had 4 homozygous and 18 compound heterozygous mutations. Sixteen newborns presented with PF (n = 11, 69%), intracranial thromboembolism and hemorrhage (n = 13, 81%), or both (n = 8, 50%), with most showing a plasma PC activity of <10%. Six others first developed overt thromboembolism when they were over 15 years of age, showing a median PC activity of 31% (range: 19-52%). Fifteen of the 22 patients (68%) had the five major mutations (G423VfsX82, V339M, R211W, M406I, and F181V) or two others (E68K and K193del) that have been reported in Japan. Three of the six late-onset cases, but none of the 16 neonatal cases, had the K193del mutation, which has been reported to be the most common variant of Chinese thrombophilia. A novel mutation of A309V was determined in a family of two patients with late onset.

CONCLUSIONS

The genotype of double-PROC mutants might show less diversity than heterozygous mutants in terms of the timing of the onset of thrombophilia (newborn onset or late onset).

Severe congenital protein C deficiency: the use of protein C concentrates (human) as replacement therapy for life-threatening blood-clotting complications

The protein C pathway has an important function in regulating and modulating blood coagulation and ensuring patency of the microcirculation. Protein C deficiency leads to macro- and microvascular thrombosis. Congenital severe protein C deficiency is a life-threatening state with neonatal purpura fulminans and pronounced coagulopathy. Patients with heterozygous protein C deficiency have an increased risk for thromboembolic events or experience coumarin-induced skin necrosis during initiation of coumarin therapy. Replacement with protein C concentrates is an established therapy of congenital protein C deficiency, resulting in rapid resolving of coagulopathy and thrombosis without reasonable side effects. This article summarizes the current knowledge on protein C replacement therapy in congenital protein C deficiency.

Long-term subcutaneous protein C replacement in neonatal severe protein C deficiency

We describe here the case of a boy who presented 2 days after birth with purpura fulminans on his feet and scalp. Laboratory investigations revealed signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation. An underlying coagulation disorder was suspected, and therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, fresh-frozen plasma, and unfractionated heparin was started. On the basis of plasma protein C activity and antigen levels of 0.02 and 0.03 IU/mL, respectively, after administration of fresh-frozen plasma, a diagnosis of severe protein C deficiency was established, and therapy with intravenous protein C concentrate (Ceprotin [Baxter, Deerfield, IL]) was started. Because of difficulties with venous access, we switched to subcutaneous administration after 6 weeks. The precise dosing schedule for subcutaneously administered protein C concentrate is unknown. In the literature, a trough level of protein C activity at >0.25 IU/mL is recommended to prevent recurrent thrombosis. During 1 year of follow-up our patient frequently had protein C activity levels at <0.25 IU/mL. Clinically, however, there was no recurrent thrombosis, and we kept the dosage unchanged. This report highlights 2 important points: (1) subcutaneously administered protein C concentrate is effective in treating severe protein C deficiency; and (2) in accordance with previous studies, after the acute phase trough levels of protein C activity at >0.25 IU/mL may not be necessary to prevent recurrent thrombosis. However, further research on the dosing, efficacy, and safety of protein C concentrate for prophylaxis and treatment of severe protein C deficiency is needed.

Use of human protein C concentrates in the treatment of patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency

Protein C is one of the major inhibitors of the coagulation system that downregulate thrombin generation. Severe congenital protein C deficiency leads to a hypercoagulability state that usually presents at birth with purpura fulminans and/or severe venous and arterial thrombosis. Recurrent thrombotic events are commonly seen. From the 1990’s, several virus-inactivated human protein C concentrates have been developed. These concentrates currently constitute the therapy of choice for the treatment and prevention of clinical manifestations of severe congenital protein C deficiency. This review summarizes the available information on the use of human protein C concentrates in patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency.

A neonate with homozygous protein C deficiency with a homozygous Arg178Trp mutation

Homozygous protein C deficiency affects approximately 1/400,000 to 1/1,000,000 live births. Homozygous protein C deficiency is associated with catastrophic and fatal purpura fulminans-like or thrombotic complications and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In the present patient, genetic study revealed Arg178Trp, a mutation found widely in European population; but this is the first case of homozygous Arg178Trp mutation who suffered from catastrophic purpura fulminans phenotype.

Recurrent vasculopathic skin lesions associated with homozygous protein C deficiency

Symptomatic protein C deficiency is a rare condition. Vasculopathy associated with hypercoagulable state in protein C deficiency has also been reported rarely. We described a boy who was diagnosed as having homozygous protein C deficiency during the neonatal period, when he developed purpura fulminans. At 7 years of age, he developed recurrent, painful, nonscarring, purpuric skin lesions. Histopathologic skin findings were compatible with those of vasculopathy. The histopathologic characteristics of these vasculopathic lesions and the pathogenetic mechanisms of their association with protein C deficiency are discussed.

Outcome in children with purpura fulminans: report on 16 patients

Purpura fulminans (PF) is a severe disorder of acute onset with high morbidity and mortality. In children, this rapidly progressive illness is usually associated with severe bacterial or viral infections. However, some other conditions may participate in the development of PF. Our objective was to investigate the underlying and associated disorders and the outcomes of the disease in 16 children, 7 males and 9 females ranging in age from 3.5 months to 12 years (median age, 2 years). Thirteen of the 16 children (81%) were 4 years of age or younger. The remaining 3 patients were 9, 10, and 12 years of age. Among these 13 infants and small children, 7 (43%) had infection, 2 infants had congenital cardiac disorders necessitating minor or major surgical intervention, and 1 infant and 3 children had different miscellaneous disorders. The factor V G1691A mutation was present in six of the 13 small children (46%). None of the 3 older children carried the mutation. Six (37.5%) of the 16 patients had protein C deficiencies, and 9 (56%) had protein S deficiencies. These deficiencies, except one for protein S, were acquired. Ten patients except two who were diagnosed at this center were treated with fresh frozen plasma. They were also given heparin. Nine (69%) of the 13 children 4 years of age or younger and one of the older children (33%) required amputation. Five of the six patients (83%) who had factor V G1691A mutation, and who also exhibited severe infection, required amputation. This study suggests that an age of 4 years or less is a risk factor for the development of PF during severe infections, especially in the presence of factor V G1691A mutation and congenital heart disease, necessitating major or minor surgical interventions. This study also shows that the amputation rate in 10 patients, after excluding the patients who had been referred to our center after development of sequelae, was 60%. The survival rate among these 10 patients may indicate that, with the treatment protocol, PF need not be regarded as a lethal disease any more. It is also suggested that effective immunization programs and better health care have probably resulted in some changes in the etiological profile of PF.

[Surgical management of cutaneous necrosis in the purpura fulminans: report of 2 clinical cases]

The authors report their experience of the management of 2 patients with purpura fulminans. After a review of the epidemiology, diagnostic methods, natural course and prognosis of the disease, the various stages of the treatment are described. The urgency of the medical treatment is stressed and the specific technique of the surgical approach to the artificial dermis is detailed. The quality of initial management is of crucial importance and such extensive and deep cutaneous destruction is best dealt in burn centers.

Myeloid/natural killer cell precursor acute leukemia accompanied by homozygous protein C deficiency

A patient with myeloid/natural killer (NK) cell precursor acute leukemia who was also homozygous for protein C deficiency was treated and showed a complete remission while he simultaneously received low molecular weight heparin. He presented with fever spikes, lymphadenopathy, and a bulky tumor of the anterior mediastinum. A bone marrow aspirate showed the infiltration of immature lymphoblastoid cells. The patient's diagnosis was determined to be myeloid/NK cell precursor acute leukemia by morphologic and immunophenotypic analysis (CD7(+)CD33(+)CD34(+)CD56(+)). The patient developed a thrombosis in his jugular vein on cannulation of the internal jugular vein. An examination of the serum levels and the activities of proteins C and S demonstrated a slight decrease in the protein C level but an undetectable protein C activity. The patient received the diagnosis of homozygous protein C deficiency, because both parents were found to have heterozygous protein C activity. Treatment of the patient's leukemia included induction chemotherapy (Ara-C and idarubicin) with concomitant administration of low molecular weight heparin for his homozygous protein C deficiency. He achieved a complete remission without expressing any thrombosis during the course of chemotherapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case ever described in which acute myeloid leukemia was complicated with homozygous protein C deficiency.

Heritable thrombophilia and childhood thrombosis

Thrombotic problems are rare during childhood but are increasingly recognized, particularly in tertiary care paediatric populations, and represent a different spectrum of disorders to those seen in adults. An understanding of the aetiological factors involved in the pathogenesis of these events is important both for prevention and management. A number of inherited prothrombotic defects have been shown to be independent risk factors for thromboembolism in adult studies, and may also contribute to thrombotic events in childhood. Homozygous deficiencies of naturally occurring inhibitors of coagulation are clearly associated with major prothrombotic disorders, often presenting in the perinatal period. The association of other inherited prothrombotic disorders with thrombosis in childhood is less well defined. The prevalence of heritable thrombophilia varies in different clinical settings and the risks associated with individual defects has only been addressed in a small number of studies to date. Additional acquired risk factors are also present in a high percentage of cases and again differ from those seen in adult thrombosis. Further studies are required to assess the risks associated with heritable thrombophilia during infancy and childhood, and to define the place of thrombophilia screening in paediatric practice.

[Perioperative management of a patient with purpura fulminans syndrome due to protein C deficiency]

PURPOSE

Protein C is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant and homozygous protein C deficiency is a rare fatal thrombotic disease. This report describes the perioperative management of homozygous protein C deficiency in a patient who underwent a total of three surgical procedures under general anesthesia and the successful use of activated protein C concentrate.

CLINICAL FEATURES

A female baby, who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation and purpura fulminans shortly after birth, was diagnosed as purpura fulminans syndrome due to homozygous protein C deficiency. At one month of age, she suffered bilateral retinal detachment and glaucoma due to retinal hemorrhage. After marked improvement of her condition after administration of activated protein C concentrate, she underwent a left iridectomy and implantation of a Broviak catheter under general anesthesia. Her intraoperative course was uncomplicated but, on postoperative day four, she presented another episode of massive cutaneous necrosis and gangrene. Activated protein C concentrate was administered again, with good results. She underwent replacement of a Broviak catheter at four months of age, and right iridectomy for glaucoma at eight months. Both were uneventful.

CONCLUSION

The perioperative management of homozygous protein C deficiency and purpura fulminans requires appropriate measures for thromboembolic prophylaxis. Sufficient iv fluid administration is necessary. Attention should be paid to decrease the risk of tissue compression such as that associated with positioning, blood pressure cuff, and endotracheal intubation, which may cause necrosis over pressure points. Replacement therapy with activated protein C concentrate appears safe and effective. The anesthetic management is reviewed and discussed.