Thrombocytopenia in HIV-infected patients, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thrombocytopenia is a blood dyscrasia common in AIDS patients that may result from increased viral load and diminished CD4 T lymphocytes. We evaluated the rate of thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 000/microL) in 170 HIV-infected patients (161 males and 9 females) from May 2000-April 2001 in Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran. All except 7 females were injecting drug users. While 34 patients had thrombocytopenia, 3 had severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 20 000/microL). Although prevalence was similar in various stages of HIV infection (18.5%-22.5%), severe thrombocytopenia was in patients with CD4 T cell count < 200 cells/microL. There were no other associated conditions. Mild thrombocytopenia is common in HIV-infected patients in our region.