Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-related thrombocytopenia with zidovudine.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related thrombocytopenia has been well described and requires therapy in about one half of the patients. Conventional modes of therapy with prednisone, danazol, immunoglobulin, and/or splenectomy have not been uniformly successful. We have administered zidovudine to three patients with HIV-related thrombocytopenia. All three patients responded with a sustained increase in their platelet counts, despite discontinuation of conventional therapy. Interruption of zidovudine therapy was associated with a decrease in platelet count. Concomitant with the elevation in platelet count with zidovudine therapy, there was a reduction in the circulating p24 antigen levels. Whether the elevations in the platelet count in these patients with HIV-related thrombocytopenia is due to the antiviral effect of zidovudine is unknown. It is clear that further studies examining the prospective use of zidovudine in the treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenia are indicated.
Pottage
J C
JC
Department of Internal Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
Benson
C A
CA
Spear
J B
JB
Landay
A L
AL
Kessler
H A
HA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015488:HIV Antigens; D015215:Zidovudine