Thrombocytopathic purpura associated with eosinophilia

An acquired bleeding syndrome associated with eosinophilia occurs in South-east Asia, mainly in children. Bleeding is known to result from impaired platelet function. This paper reports seven previously healthy young adults from Singapore who exhibited this syndrome. Bleeding was confined mainly to the skin and mucosal surfaces; no unusual clinical findings were noted. The bleeding tendency was transient. Intestinal helminths were found in four cases; five were mildly thrombocytopenic at onset. Platelet aggregation abnormalities were transient and the pattern suggested storage pool disease; this is discussed in relation to recent studies of the syndrome. The possible pathogenic role of eosinophilia and parasitism is also discussed.