Strong association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and thrombocytopenia: Implications from a survey of a community with hyperendemic HCV infection

Abstract

Background. The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in thrombocytopenia (defined as a platelet count of <100,000 platelets/μL) is unknown. Our aim was to study the association between HCV infection and thrombocytopenia in a community where hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCV infections are hyperendemic. Methods. A community-wide survey of subjects ≥40 years old who had undergone a preventive health examination between April 1997 and July 2000 in A-Lein Township, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan. Serum blood platelet counts and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) levels were measured. Abdominal sonography was performed on viral hepatitis-positive participants. Results. Among the 1690 subjects, 70% were seronegative, 17.4% were anti-HCV positive, 9.2% were HBsAg positive, and 3.4% were coinfected with HCV and HBV. The mean platelet count in subjects with anti-HCV (180,000 platelets/μL) was lower than in those with HBsAg (201,000 platelets/μL) and in those without anti-HCV and HBsAg (234,000 platelets/μL) (P