title: Resolution of autoimmune thrombocytopenia associated with raltegravir use in an HIV-positive patient.
abstract: About 10% of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients show thrombocytopenia. We describe the case of an HIV/HCV-positive patient whose autoimmune thrombocytopenia resolved with the addition of raltegravir to previous highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). It is noteworthy that the effect on platelet count appeared to be independent of viral load suppression, which was achieved with previous antiretroviral regimens. In fact, it has been suggested that the positive effect exerted by raltegravir on autoimmune diseases is due to its inhibition on herpes viruses, and hence on activation of endogenous human retroviruses. This consideration, if confirmed, could open new avenues in the treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenia in the HIV setting.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Pubblica e Sicurezza Sociale, Sezione di Malattie Infettive, Università di Napoli "Federico II" , Naples , Italy.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonadies
authors.forename: Antonio Riccardo
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Buonomo
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minei
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borrelli
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foggia
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiurazzi
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borgia
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000821:virology*; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068898:Raltegravir Potassium
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; D000068898:Raltegravir Potassium