title: Pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia associated with HIV infection in homosexual men. A preliminary report.
abstract: The pathophysiology of HIV associated immune thrombocytopenia (HIV-ITP) and its response to AZT was investigated. Using autologous 111Indium-labelled platelets, platelet kinetic were analysed in two patient groups. Group 1 (untreated) was comprised of 13 patients with HIV-ITP. Group 2 (AZT) was comprised of 6 patients with a history of HIV-ITP prior to starting AZT. These patients were studied following a rise in their platelet count on AZT. Platelet survivals in both groups were shortened compared to controls, however there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. However platelet turnover rates were significantly depressed in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (P less than 0.05) and control values (P less than 0.05). The platelet count correlated with platelet turnover in Group 1 but not in AZT treated patients. Thus patients with HIV-ITP appear to have both shortened survivals and suppressed platelet production. The mechanism of the latter is unknown, but the increased turnover rate seen with AZT suggests it is a direct or indirect effect of the HIV virus.
authors.affiliation: Canadian Red Cross BTS, Vancouver, B.C.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ballem
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belzberg
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Devine
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doubroff
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mikulash
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spurston
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buskard
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015215:Zidovudine