title: Effect of splenectomy on HIV-related thrombocytopenia and progression of HIV infection in patients with severe haemophilia.
abstract: Between May 1983 and September 1991 eleven patients with severe haemophilia underwent splenectomy for HIV-related thrombocytopenia. The sustained complete remission rate (platelets > 100 x 10(9)/l) was 82% over a mean follow-up period of 54 months. The group was compared with 22 age-matched non-thrombocytopenic HIV seropositive haemophiliacs who had not undergone splenectomy. Both groups had equivalent use of factor concentrate and there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of anti-retroviral treatment. Analysis of clinical progression of HIV infection and CD4 positive lymphocyte (CD4+) counts, for the time since splenectomy, revealed no significant difference in progression of HIV infection in the splenectomized group compared with the control group. It is concluded that splenectomy is an effective treatment for HIV-related thrombocytopenia and has no adverse effect on the progression of HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Haemophia Reference Centre, St Thomas' Hospital, London.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Majumdar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bedford
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Doherty
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Savidge
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D012074:Remission Induction; D013156:Splenectomy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*