[Helicobacter pylori infection and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

Kyuhei Kohda1, Yoshiro Niitsu

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Asahikawa Red Cross Hospital.

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection and the effect of its eradication on platelet count in 51 chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) and 9 secondary autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura(SAITP) patients, were investigated. H. pylori infection was found in 31 ITP patients(60.8%) and in two SAITP(22.2%). H. pylori eradication was obtained in 24 of 26 infected ITP patients. 14 of 24 H. pylori-eradicated patients(58.3%) showed a significant increase in platelet count 6 months after eradication, however two infected patients with SAITP did not show platelet increase. This response was maintained in all responding patients throughout the follow-up period(median 20 months).

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