BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated whether chronic hepatitis C infection is associated with thrombocytopenia. METHODS/ RESULTS: Thrombocytopenia (<15 x 10(4) platelets/mu l) was diagnosed in 151 of 368 patients (41.0%) with chronic hepatitis C, a significantly higher proportion than that observed in patients with chronic hepatitis B (18.9%, p < 0.01). Elevated titers of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G were observed in 88.1% of patients with chronic hepatitis C and in 47.1% of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G titers were significantly higher in patients with chronic hepatitis C (87.3 +/- 10.1 ng/10(7) cells) vs. those with chronic hepatitis B (30.3 +/- 6.4) or the control subjects (p < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between platelet-associated immunoglobulin G titers and platelet counts in both chronic hepatitis C and B cases. Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G titers were significantly higher in patients with type C cirrhosis than in those with type B cirrhosis. Interestingly, HCV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR in the platelets from 11 of 14 patients with hepatitis C virus. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that chronic infection with hepatitis C virus may produce a significant autoimmune reaction to platelets, leading to thrombocytopenia.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated whether chronic hepatitis C infection is associated with thrombocytopenia. METHODS/ RESULTS:Thrombocytopenia (<15 x 10(4) platelets/mu l) was diagnosed in 151 of 368 patients (41.0%) with chronic hepatitis C, a significantly higher proportion than that observed in patients with chronic hepatitis B (18.9%, p < 0.01). Elevated titers of platelet-associated immunoglobulin G were observed in 88.1% of patients with chronic hepatitis C and in 47.1% of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G titers were significantly higher in patients with chronic hepatitis C (87.3 +/- 10.1 ng/10(7) cells) vs. those with chronic hepatitis B (30.3 +/- 6.4) or the control subjects (p < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between platelet-associated immunoglobulin G titers and platelet counts in both chronic hepatitis C and B cases. Platelet-associated immunoglobulin G titers were significantly higher in patients with type C cirrhosis than in those with type B cirrhosis. Interestingly, HCV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR in the platelets from 11 of 14 patients with hepatitis C virus. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that chronic infection with hepatitis C virus may produce a significant autoimmune reaction to platelets, leading to thrombocytopenia.
Authors: Christian A Di Buduo; Manuela Currao; Alessandro Pecci; David L Kaplan; Carlo L Balduini; Alessandra Balduini Journal: Haematologica Date: 2016-08-11 Impact factor: 9.941
Authors: Elizabeth Y Chiao; Eric A Engels; Jennifer R Kramer; Kenneth Pietz; Louise Henderson; Thomas P Giordano; Ola Landgren Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2009-02-23
Authors: Diana V Stefanova-Petrova; Anelia H Tzvetanska; Elisaveta J Naumova; Anastasia P Mihailova; Evgenii A Hadjiev; Rumiana P Dikova; Mircho I Vukov; Konstantin G Tchernev Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2007-12-28 Impact factor: 5.742