Werlhof’s Disease: Causes

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.