Short Communication
English
Abdulatif Khmmaj 1, Elmukthar Habas 1, Naji Jornaz 2, Abdulbaset Aboshwashi 1, Ziad Turki 1, Mohamed Saadi 1
1-Department of Medicine, Tripoli Central Hospital, Tripoli, Libya 2-Department of Hematooncology, Tripoli Medical Center, Tripoli, Libya
Libyan J Infect Dis. 2010;4(1):50-53
Abstract
Background: Thrombocytopenia can be a manifestation of hepatitis B (HBV) and C viral (HCV) infection. However, there is little published data regarding the clinical and laboratory manifestations of HCV-related thrombocytopenia compared with adult chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura.
Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of thrombocytopenia in HBV and HCV infected patients.
Materials and methods: The study has been conducted at medical and infectious departments at Tripoli Central Hospital. Medical records of 199 patients with HBV and HCV infections and thrombocytopenia that was not attributable to hypersplenism or to other causes were retrospectively reviewed. The age of the patients was between 15-79 years (mean 35.80.9±y). They were 127 males and 72 females. The patients` platelet count was estimated by coulter machine, and thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count of < 150.000/μl.
Results: One hundred and fifteen patients (57.8%) were infected with HCV, 79 patients (39.7%) with HBV, and only five patients (2.5%) with hepatitis B and C. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 40 patients (20%) with HBV and HCV infections of which 13 patients (32.5%) and 27 patients (67.5%) had HBV and HCV, respectively. No thrombocytopenia was observed in patients co-infected with hepatitis B and C.
Conclusion: There is an association of thrombocytopenia with HBV and HCV infections, and thrombocytopenia observed to occur more in HCV than in HBV infection. Further studies are needed to establish the pathophysiology of these hematological and other extrahepatic manifestations.
Keywords: HBV, HCV, Hepatitis, Thrombocytopenia, Viral
Link/DOI: http://www.nidcc-jid.org.ly/pdf/v4no1/Thrombocytopenia_in_patients_with_hepatitis_B_and_C_infection.pdf