AUTOIMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION

We have retrospectively analyzed a series of 19 patients with hepatiti s C virus (HCV) infection and chronic thrombocytopenia not attributabl e to hypersplenism or to other causes. Antiplatelet antibodies were pr esent in 81 % of cases, Response to prednisone was observed in 6 of 7 patients and 1 of 3 patients responded to intravenous immunoglobulins. No case of reactivation of liver disease was observed during or after therapy, We consider that the possibility of an underlying mechanism should be evaluated in thrombocytopenic patients with HCV infection wh o do not present hypersplenism. These patients could benefit from ster oid treatment.