Viruses, anti-viral therapy and viral vaccines in children with immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenia might be preceded by silent or overt viral infections. Similarly, anti-viral drugs and viral vaccines could also trigger ITP and might play a central role in its pathogenesis. The seasonal nature of childhood ITP suggests that viral infections might initiate immune responses that increase the predisposition and occurrence of ITP. Active Cytomegalovirus or Epstein Bar Virus should be considered in differential diagnosis when thrombocytopenia is associated with lymphadenopathy, especially with splenomegaly.
Source: Seminars in Hematology - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research