Thrombocytopenia in HIV-infected patients, Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia is a blood dyscrasia common in AIDS patients ha may result from increased viral load and diminished CD4 T lymphocytes. We evaluated the rate of thrombocytopenia (platelet count<100 000/μL) in 170 HIV-infected patients (161 males and 9 females)from May 2000-April 2001 in Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran. All except 7 females were injecting drug users. While 34 patients had thrombocytopenia, 3 had severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count<20 000/μL). Although prevalence was similar in various stages of HIV infection (18.5%-22.5%), severe thrombocytopenia was in patients with CD4 T cell count<200 cells/μL. There were no other associated conditions. Mild thrombocytopenia is common in HIV-infected patients in our region.