Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after a dogbite.

A man bitten by a pet dog had fulminant thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura within 72 hours. Rhabdomyolysis was severe and acute anuric renal failure was present. The suspected causative agent was Pastuerella multocida or clostridia with possible endotoxemia, though early treatment precluded a definitive diagnosis. The patient responded dramatically to a combined therapeutic approach of antibiotics, steroids, splenectomy, and supportive hemodialysis.