Vol 2, No 4 (2011)
Review paper
Published online: 2011-12-28
Thrombocytopenia associated with HCV, HIV and Helicobacter pylori infections
Hematologia 2011;2(4):339-345.
Abstract
The most common infections associated with thrombocytopenia in adults are those from hepatitis
C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Helicobacter pylori
(H. pylori). Thrombocytopenia connected with these disorders is usually of chronic type, has no
tendency to remit spontaneously and can change for the worse with the progression of the
infectious disease. Both HCV and HIV infection can lead to thrombocytopenia through immunologic
and non-immunologic mechanisms. Immune thrombocytopenia (IT) usually appears
in early stages of HCV, HIV infections and may closely mimic chronic primary immune
thrombocytopenia (ITP). Eradication of H. pylori can result in platelet responses in patients
with chronic ITP, which led to speculation on a causal role of the bacterium in the development
of thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia in the absence of other disease symptoms requires screening for H. pylori, especially in regions where there is high prevalence of the disease.
According to the new guidelines, concerning ITP diagnosis and treatment, eradication therapy
should be given to patients with ITP positive for H. pylori infection.
Hematologia 2011; 2, 4: 339–345
Hematologia 2011; 2, 4: 339–345
Keywords: thrombocytopeniaHCVHIVHelicobacter pylori