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Comparative study on infection-induced thrombocytopenia among returned travellers
K-H Herbinger1, M Schunk, H D Nothdurft
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Leopoldstraße 5, 80802 Munich, Germany. herbinger@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Infection
|February 22, 2012
Summary
Thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, in returned travelers often indicates serious infectious diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Monitoring platelet levels is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of these tropical illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Travel Medicine
Background:
- Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in ill travelers returning from tropical regions.
- Numerous infectious diseases endemic to tropical and subtropical areas can cause low platelet counts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic significance of thrombocytopenia in returned travelers.
- To identify specific infectious diseases associated with thrombocytopenia in this population.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study analyzed data from 19,473 returned travelers from 1999-2009.
- 732 travelers with thrombocytopenia were compared to 18,741 travelers with normal platelet counts.
Main Results:
- Thrombocytopenia was significantly associated with malaria (63%), acute HIV (48%), dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever (47%), and other infections.
- Malaria and dengue caused 25% of all thrombocytopenia cases and 75% of severe cases.
- Travel to Sub-Saharan Africa and South/South-east Asia correlated with the highest relative risk for thrombocytopenia.
Conclusions:
- Platelet count is an essential screening parameter for returned travelers.
- Thrombocytopenia strongly suggests the presence of significant infectious diseases, especially malaria and dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever.
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