Interferon therapy in intravenous drug users with HIV-associated idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
BACKGROUND
There is no generally accepted treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)--associated idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). recombinant alpha interferon (rIFN) has been used in classic ITP with conflicting results. We have tested its activity in a group of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) with HIV-associated ITP, who also had a high prevalence of chronic liver disease.


METHODS
Nine patients were treated with a short course of rIFN-2b (3 MU s.c. three times a week for four weeks), and their hematological and biochemical parameters were monitored before (t0), at the end (t1), and one month after discontinuation of rIFN therapy (t2).


RESULTS
Platelet counts increased significantly from 15.9 +/- 7.3 x 10(9)/L at t0 up to 67.0 +/- 38.8 x 10S(9)/L at t1 (p < 0.005), but returned to 24.7 +/- 12.7 x 10(9)/L at t2 (t1 vs t2: p < 0.005). The other parameters did not change, with the exception of the alanine aminotransferase levels, which decreased from 105 IU/L at t0 to 42 IU/L at t1 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A short course of rIFN is an effective treatment for HIV-associated ITP in IVDUs and may also be beneficial for the frequently concomitant chronic liver disease. Since the efficacy of rIFN on the platelet count is short-lived, long-term rIFN administration would be worth testing.
Stellini
R
R
I Divisione di Malattie Infettive, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Italy.
Rossi
G
G
Paraninfo
G
G
D000328:Adult; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins