title: Thrombocytopenic purpura: an unusual complication of eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori.
abstract: A case of severe thrombocytopenic purpura is described in a 56-year-old female following Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy consisting of omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxycillin. The pathogenesis of this patient's thrombocytopenia appears to be quite complex. Whilst it was clearly triggered by antibiotic treatment, a direct toxic mechanism does not provide an adequate explanation for the severity and lack of responsiveness to drug treatment. It is tempting to suggest that an immunological mechanism and splenomegaly were also involved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. s.marchi@int.med.unipi.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Bortoli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maltinti
mesh_terms: D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010976:Platelet Count; D011696:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D000658:Amoxicillin; D017291:Clarithromycin; D009853:Omeprazole; D008775:Methylprednisolone