A 32-year-old woman comes to emergency for 2-day history of confusion, fever, and fatigue. She has also noticed sudden bruising on her arms and legs along with several scattered petechiae. Temperature is 101 F. There is mild scleral icterus. Neurologic exam shows mild facial droop on the right. Laboratory testing shows a hemoglobin of 11 g/dL, platelets of 50,000/μL, and increased serum LDH. A blood smear is shown.
Which of the following is the most likely explanation for these findings?
A) Antibodies against glycoproteins IIb/IIIa
B) Antibodies against matrix metalloproteinase
C) Defective bridging agent between glycoprotein Ib and vascular endothelium
D) Enzyme deficiency
E) Liberation of tissue factor causing runaway consumption of clotting factors and platelets
