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Updated: Aug 22, 2026
Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models
Published on: December 3, 2019
Thrombocytosis in pediatric HIV infection
1Department of Meidcine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Insights
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection can cause thrombocytosis, a condition of high platelet counts. This study found HIV-1 infection is an additional cause of thrombocytosis, often associated with severe disease in children.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Thrombocytopenia is a known complication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
- The association between HIV and thrombocytosis (elevated platelet counts) is less understood, particularly in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of thrombocytosis in children with HIV infection.
- To determine if HIV-1 infection is an independent cause of thrombocytosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 400 children within a cohort.
- Identification of 24 children (6%) with platelet counts exceeding 500,000/mm(3).
- Analysis of clinical data, including disease severity and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Twenty-four children with HIV infection presented with thrombocytosis (>500,000/mm(3)).
- All 24 children had symptomatic HIV disease; 10 (42%) died.
- Four children had platelet counts >700,000/mm(3), with one reaching 1.5 million/mm(3).
- No thrombotic complications were observed, and no specific treatment for thrombocytosis was needed.
Conclusions:
- HIV-1 infection is identified as an etiologic agent for thrombocytosis.
- Thrombocytosis associated with HIV-1 infection can occur in severe cases.
- Elevated platelet counts in HIV-infected children do not necessarily lead to thrombotic events.
Abstract:
Thrombocytopenia has been extensively reported in association with HIV infection. Twenty-four children (6%) from a cohort of 400 children with platelet counts >500,000/mm(3) were reviewed. All had symptomatic disease and 10 (42%) patients died. In 4 children the platelet count exceeded 700,000/mm(3) and in 1 patient the platelet count was 1.5 million/mm(3). There were no thrombotic complications, and no specific therapy was required for the thrombocytosis. Thus HIV-1 infection, a chronic viral infection, is another etiologic agent for thrombocytosis and is associated with severe disease.
