Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] has been considered for many years as the aetiologic agent of gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. The prevalence of H. pylori infection and the effect of eradication in a series of 69 idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients were investigated. H. pylori infection has been documented in 35 of 69 chronic ITP patients [50.7%] by 13C urea breath test and confirmed by histologic examination. There was a significant increase in the percentage of patients responding to corticosteroid therapy in uninfected group compared to infected patients with H. pylori [85 % vs 62.5%]. There was a significant increase in platelet count in all infected patients after eradication therapy for H. pylori infection. H. pylori eradication may provide a good option for treatment in some idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients