[Helicobacter pylori infection and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

There are increasing data on the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and the significant increase in platelet count after bacterial eradication. The aim of this review was to consider the studies so far published on Helicobacter pylori infection and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in order to evaluate a possible correlation between these two conditions. A review of the literature showed that 306 out of the 524 patients investigated (54.8%) were positive for Helicobacter pylori infection and that the bacterium was eradicated in 83% of cases. Eradication therapy was accompanied by a complete or partial platelet response in approximately half the cases. Overall, these data show that Helicobacter pylori eradication in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is effective in increasing platelet count. However, since the studies so far published are few, sometimes controversial and involve small series of patients, further studies on larger numbers of patients with longer followup are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.