An HIV-positive patient may develop thrombocytopenia in a number of ways.
Condition
Features
bone marrow suppression related to advanced HIV disease (HIV-associated thrombocytopenia)
AIDS with exclusion of other conditions, remits on therapy with zidovudine
disseminated infection affecting the bone marrow (histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, etc)
positive bone marrow cultures; organisms seen on bone marrow biopsy
malignant lymphoma or other tumor involving the bone marrow
bone marrow involvement
immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
anti-platelet antibodies
drug-induced thrombocytopenia
temporal appearance related to drug therapy; remits on stopping drug
HIV-related TTP/HUS
microangiopathic hemolytic anemia; abnormality ADAMTS13; preceding infection with E. coli 0157
splenomegaly
significant splenomegaly
disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
positive fibrin split products, hypofibrinogenemia
aplastic or hypoplastic marrow
absent or reduced megakaryocytes in bone marrow biopsy
A patient may have more than one of these conditions.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Clinical Laboratory, Infectious Diseases
