The Biological Factors Of Refractory Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
―A Report Of A Rare-Case Human Papillomavirus (HPV) associated lTP
Abstract
Objective: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the most common hematologic disorder. It is also referred to as immune thrombocytopenic purpura for anti-platelet antibodies can be detected in the sera of patients with this disease. Conventional treatments with corticosteroids and splenectomy result in normal or “safe” platelet counts in more than 70% of patients. But there are some patients (about 30%) who respond to any conventional treatment poorly, or respond to the conventional treatments but cannot discontinue medicines. They are victims of refractory ITP. Many biological factors, especially virus, have a significant relationship to refractory ITP. This paper reviews the relative data and reports a typical case of human papillomavirus (HPV) associated refractory ITP firstly in order to address the importance of the etiological diagnosis and treatments of refractory ITP. Method: The paper reviews the discoveries of contemporary studies and research programs over biological factors associated with ITP and reports the clinical process of diagnosis and treatments of a rare-case HPV associated ITP firstly with the aim of emphasizing the importance of finding and eliminating the biological factors in curing the patients of refractory ITP. Results: Biological factors, especially virus, play a great role in the onset and persistence of refractory ITP. It is HPV infection that induces the onset and persistence of refractory ITP in this patient. The mechanism of her thrombocytopenia is still of immune nature. Although immune suppressive therapies are initially effective, they failed in the end as they can precipitate the HPV infection instead of getting rid of HPV. The eradication of HPV is the sole but effective cure to the patient. Conclusion: The onset and persistence of refractory ITP is correlated with biological factors especially virus significantly. To find and eradicate the biological factors especially virus associated with refractory ITP is the key approach in recovering the patients.
Key Words: Refractory, ITP, Biological factors, Virus, Human papillomavirus (HPV)