Pathogenesis (disease development)
Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is characterized by:
- Isolated thrombocytopathy* (dysfunction of platelets/platelets) with no apparent cause (degradation in the spleen).
- Platelet survival time reduced to hours.
- Detection of IgG antibodies (formation in the spleen).
- Increased megakaryocytopoiesis in the bone marrow.
* Clinical manifestations often do not occur until platelet counts are below 30,000/µl. At values below 10,000/µl, however, a life-threatening course must be expected. (Normal values for platelets: 150,000 to 350,000/µl).
This is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are formed against components of platelets.
Etiology (Causes)
The exact etiology is unclear. It is thought to be caused by a triggering viral infection.
Notice.
Drugs that may cause isolated thrombocytopenia (lack of platelets):
- Abciximab – drug from the group of monoclonal antibodies; acts as a platelet aggregation inhibitor (anticoagulant).
- Aciclovir (antiviral) – active substance against viral infections.
- Aminosalicylic acid (mesalazine) – active ingredient used in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Amiodarone (antiarrhythmic drug ) – active substance against cardiac arrhythmias.
- Amphotericin B (antifungal) – active substance against fungal infections.
- Ampicillin (antibiotic) – active substance against bacterial infections.
- Carbamazepine (anti-epileptic)
- Chlorpropamide (antidiabetic) – active substance used in diabetes mellitus (diabetes).
- Danazol (androgen)
- Diatrizoate (X-ray contrast agent)
- Diclofenac (analgesic/painkiller)
- Digoxin (cardiac glycoside) – active substance, which is used in cardiac insufficiency and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Eptifibatide – active substance from the group of platelet aggregation inhibitors (anticoagulants).
- Heparin (anticoagulant)
- Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) (diuretic) – dehydrating drug.
- Ibuprofen (analgesic / painkiller)
- Levamisole (immunomodulator)
- Octreotide (somatostatin analogue)
- Paracetamol (analgesic/pain reliever).
- Phenytoin (antiepileptic drugs) – active substance from the group of antiepileptic drugs.
- Quinine (antimalarials)
- Rifampicin (antibacterial agent from the group of tuberculostatics ) – active substance against tuberculosis.
- Tamoxifen (antiestrogen)
- Tirofiban – active substance from the group of antiplatelet agents (anticoagulants).
- Trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (antibiotics) – combination of active ingredients against bacterial infections.
- Vancymycin (antibiotic) – active substance against bacterial infections.