Vol 2, No 4 (2011)
Review paper
Published online: 2011-12-28

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Thrombocytopenia associated with HCV, HIV and Helicobacter pylori infections

Jacek Treliński, Krzysztof Chojnowski
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

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Hematology in Clinical Practice