Enhanced monocyte tissue factor expression in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

Monocyte tissue factor expression was evaluated in 67 patients with hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis. They were classified as Child A (n = 15), Child B (n = 15), Child C (n = 12) and Bleeders (n = 10), in addition to 15 healthy controls. Mononuclear cells were cultured in vitro with and without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to assess monocyte tissue factor (TF) antigen (Ag) and activity (Act) in cell lysate, in addition to measurement of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) as a marker of in vivo thrombin generation. A significant increase in monocyte TF Ag and TF Act was noted in all stages of the disease compared with the control group, with marked accentuation during an acute attack of variceal bleeding. This enhanced monocyte expression was noted before the addition of LPS and became more obvious with addition of LPS. An increasing level of F1 + 2 was similarly noted. These findings constitute further evidence for an existing prothrombotic state in hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis, and also that monocytes are closely implicated in the haemostatic diathesis characterizing the disease.