ABSTRACT
Thrombocytopenia is a relatively frequent complication in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Most frequent mechanisms of thrombopenia are destruction of half-filled platelets by immunocomplex and defects in production. We present two cases of severe thrombocytopenia associated to HIV infection. Case 1: A male patient, 45 years old with fever and diarrhea that lasted for 1 month that presented with thrombopenia of 3,000 platelets/mm3. After beginning zidovudine and lamivudine therapy, he normalized the platelet count in 5 days. Case 2: A male patient of 30 years old, who suffered during one day migraine, nausea, vomits and then seizures. A criptococccal meningitis was confirmed. Concomitantly he had a platelet count of 59,000/mm3. He started antiretroviral therapy with zidovudina and lamivudina, then was changed to didanosine plus stavudine plus nevirapine. After 6 months of severe thrombocytopenia, platelets count was restored to normal values. A literature review is presented.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/complications , Thrombocytopenia/etiology , Adult , Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
La trombocitopenia es una complicación relativamente frecuente en los pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana. Las mecanismos más frecuentes de génesis son la destrucción de trombocitos mediada por inmunocomplejos y los defectos en su producción. Presentamos dos casos de trombocitopenia grave asociados a infección por VIH. Caso 1. Varón de 45 años que consultó por cuadro febril y diarreico de un mes de evolución y trombocitopenia: 3.000 plaquetas/mm³. Normalizó su recuento plaquetario al 5° día de iniciar zidovudina + lamivudina. Caso 2. Varón de 30 años, consultó por cefalea, náuseas, vómitos y convulsiones. Se confirmó la presencia de meningitis por Cryptococcus sp. El recuento plaquetario era de 59.000/mm³. Recibió zidovudina + lamivudina, luego didanosina + stavudina + nevirapina; tras 6 meses de trombocitopenia grave, normalizó el recuento plaquetario. Se presenta revisión de la correspondiente literatura científica.
Thrombocytopenia is a relatively frequent complication in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Most frequent mechanisms of thrombopenia are destruction of half-filled platelets by immunocomplex and defects in production. We present two cases of severe thrombocytopenia associated to HIV infection. Case 1: A male patient, 45 years old with fever and diarrhea that lasted for 1 month that presented with thrombopenia of 3.000 platelets/mm³. After beginning zidovudine and lamivudine therapy, he normalized the platelet count in 5 days. Case 2: A male patient of 30 years old, who suffered during one day migraine, nausea, vomits and then seizures. A criptococccal meningitis was confirmed. Concomitantly he had a platelet count of 59.000/mm³. He started antiretroviral therapy with zidovudina and lamivudina, then was changed to didanosine plus stavudine plus nevirapine. After 6 months of severe thrombocytopenia, platelets count was restored to normal values. A literature review is presented.
