[Severe thrombocytopenia and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Report of two cases and review]

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.