Serum thrombopoietin and platelet antibodies in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus: clinical application of platelet indices

Background Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in 160 million individuals worldwide. Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV in the world. HCV is known to cause thrombocytopenia even in the absence of overt hepatic disease. The pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia with chronic HCV is complex. Aims To evaluate serum thrombopoietin (TPO) and platelet antibodies in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic HCV and to assess the diagnostic utility of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW). Patients and methods The present study included 70 patients with chronic HCV with thrombocytopenia divided into two groups; 20 age-matched and sex-matched HCV patients without thrombocytopenia were also included as controls. Serum TPO, platelet autoantibodies, MPV, and PDW were measured in all participants. Results A significantly lower serum TPO level and platelet count were found with advancing degree of liver fibrosis and activity. Significantly higher MPV and PDW were found in patients with antiplatelet autoantibodies formation. The platelet count showed significant positive correlations with TPO level, MPV, and PDW, and inverse correlations with aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and viral load. Conclusion The dominant mechanism in mild thrombocytopenic HCV patients was the formation of antiplatelet autoantibodies, whereas in moderate to severe thrombocytopenic patients, the dominant mechanism was combined bone marrow affection and formation of antiplatelet autoantibodies. Serum TPO level was decreased in patients with HCV-induced thrombocytopenia. MPV and PDW may be used as indicators for the dominant mechanism.