HIV-induced thrombocytopenia

Epidemiology

10% of HIV patients

Pathology

• immune thrombocytopenia
  • platelet-directed antibodies & circulating immune complexes
• HIV infection of megakaryocytes

Management

• anti-retroviral therapy if asymptomatic
  • zidovudine 1000 mg/day
    • promotes platelet production & inhibits platelet destruction
• high-dose prednisone acutely if symptomatic, but avoid long-term
• splenectomy
• interferon-alpha, 3 million units SQ 3 times/week
• high-dose intravenous immune globulin

More general terms

• HIV1/AIDS-associated hematologic disorder
• thrombocytopenia