The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of Literature

Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, and immunodeficiency. Mutations in the WAS gene disrupt hematopoietic cell actin cytoskeletal reorganization, often leading to classic small platelets, although variants exist. We present the case o...

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Main Authors: Vanya Rai, Saurav Sharma, Amitabh Singh, Sumit Mehndiratta, Nidhi Chopra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
Series:Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology
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Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0045-1805089
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author Vanya Rai
Saurav Sharma
Amitabh Singh
Sumit Mehndiratta
Nidhi Chopra
author_facet Vanya Rai
Saurav Sharma
Amitabh Singh
Sumit Mehndiratta
Nidhi Chopra
author_sort Vanya Rai
collection DOAJ
description Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, and immunodeficiency. Mutations in the WAS gene disrupt hematopoietic cell actin cytoskeletal reorganization, often leading to classic small platelets, although variants exist. We present the case of a 2-year-old boy initially misdiagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and concurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, despite normal platelet volume. His clinical history included persistent thrombocytopenia, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and recurrent bleeding episodes. The patient was initially treated for presumed ITP and meningitis without improvement in platelet count following standard therapies, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Multiple hospitalizations and treatments failed to resolve his symptoms. Genetic testing later identified a hemizygous nonsense mutation in exon 1 of the WAS gene, confirming the diagnosis of WAS. The patient's treatment included several rounds of IVIG and antibiotics, with the consideration of alternative diagnoses such as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. After the genetic diagnosis, the patient was referred for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The delayed diagnosis of WAS due to initial misdiagnosis resulted in delayed appropriate interventions. Early genetic testing might have expedited the correct diagnosis and management. This case highlights the need to consider WAS in male infants with persistent thrombocytopenia, irrespective of platelet size, especially when standard treatments fail. Early genetic testing is crucial for timely diagnosis and appropriate management, potentially improving patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-8a93bf29b7904b5f922786e4454666a62025-08-20T02:32:44ZengThieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology0971-58510975-212910.1055/s-0045-1805089The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of LiteratureVanya Rai0Saurav Sharma1Amitabh Singh2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4440-5339Sumit Mehndiratta3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0024-8773Nidhi Chopra4Department of Pediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, IndiaDepartment of Pediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, IndiaDepartment of Pediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, IndiaDepartment of Pediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, IndiaDepartment of Pediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, IndiaWiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia, eczema, and immunodeficiency. Mutations in the WAS gene disrupt hematopoietic cell actin cytoskeletal reorganization, often leading to classic small platelets, although variants exist. We present the case of a 2-year-old boy initially misdiagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and concurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, despite normal platelet volume. His clinical history included persistent thrombocytopenia, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and recurrent bleeding episodes. The patient was initially treated for presumed ITP and meningitis without improvement in platelet count following standard therapies, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Multiple hospitalizations and treatments failed to resolve his symptoms. Genetic testing later identified a hemizygous nonsense mutation in exon 1 of the WAS gene, confirming the diagnosis of WAS. The patient's treatment included several rounds of IVIG and antibiotics, with the consideration of alternative diagnoses such as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. After the genetic diagnosis, the patient was referred for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The delayed diagnosis of WAS due to initial misdiagnosis resulted in delayed appropriate interventions. Early genetic testing might have expedited the correct diagnosis and management. This case highlights the need to consider WAS in male infants with persistent thrombocytopenia, irrespective of platelet size, especially when standard treatments fail. Early genetic testing is crucial for timely diagnosis and appropriate management, potentially improving patient outcomes.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0045-1805089Wiskott–Aldrich syndromeimmune thrombocytopenianormal platelet volumeCMV infectionhematology
spellingShingle Vanya Rai
Saurav Sharma
Amitabh Singh
Sumit Mehndiratta
Nidhi Chopra
The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of Literature
Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome
immune thrombocytopenia
normal platelet volume
CMV infection
hematology
title The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of Literature
title_full The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of Literature
title_fullStr The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of Literature
title_full_unstemmed The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of Literature
title_short The Misleading Normal in an Unusual Case of Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome: A Case Report with Review of Literature
title_sort misleading normal in an unusual case of wiskott aldrich syndrome a case report with review of literature
topic Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome
immune thrombocytopenia
normal platelet volume
CMV infection
hematology
url http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0045-1805089
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