The treatment of HIV associated thrombocytopenia in haemophiliacs.
HIV associated thrombocytopenia occurs in 5-10% of asymptomatic individuals, and 25-45% of people with AIDS. A variety of treatments are available but the inherited bleeding disorder in addition to the thrombocytopenia makes management in haemophiliacs a special problem. The management of this double coagulopathy is described in seven patients. IV gammaglobulin and steroids were useful only in the short term; zidovudine produced a good response, could be taken orally, had anti-HIV activity and was well tolerated in asymptomatic HIV positive patients. Interferon was an alternative when zidovudine was ineffective or produced intolerable side-effects. Splenectomy was considered only after failure of other treatments because of the increased risks of bleeding.
Haemophilia Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London.
S G
SG
Lim
C A
CA
Lee
P B
PB
Kernoff
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015215:Zidovudine; D007372:Interferons; D011239:Prednisolone