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Date Posted: 21:44:10 04/27/02 Sat
Author: Susie
Author Host/IP: bgp425870bgs.union01.nj.comcast.net / 68.36.197.75
Subject: Low Blood Counts from HIVandHepatitis.com

Low White Blood Cell and Platelet Counts Are Common with HCV
By Brian Boyle, MD

A large number of persons are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States, with estimates as high as 4 million. Many of these individuals have known risk factors for HCV or have been diagnosed with HCV, but a significant number of HCV-infected individuals do not have a known risk factor and have not been tested for or diagnosed with HCV.

While liver disease is clearly the predominate risk of chronic HCV infection, other systemic conditions are also associated with HCV, including abnormalities in peripheral blood counts, especially platelet counts. Still, the effect of HCV infection on peripheral blood counts has never been extensively evaluated and documented.

In a study published in Hepatology, investigators evaluated the prevalence of peripheral blood count abnormalities among HCV-infected adults. The investigators used the data collected in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). The population evaluated in this study included 16,196 individuals in NHANES III who were at least 18 years of age and who had peripheral blood counts and data on HCV infection recorded. The enrolled patients were assessed for low peripheral blood counts, with "low" being defined as the lowest fifth percentile of each component of the peripheral blood count.

The investigators found that HCV antibody-positive individuals were 3 times more likely to have a low neutrophil count than individuals who were HCV-antibody negative (9% versus 3%, respectively, P < .0001). In addition, they found that HCV antibody-positive individuals were 2.6 times more likely to have low platelet counts than individuals who were HCV-antibody negative (13% versus 5%, respectively, P < .0001). There was no association, however, found between HCV antibody status and anemia or other peripheral blood cell components.

The authors conclude, "HCV-infected persons in the general population of the United States are more likely to have low neutrophil and platelet counts, and HCV testing should be considered for persons with unexplained neutrophil counts below 1.0 × 109/L or platelet counts less than 100 × 109/L. Alternate causes of anemia should be considered for HCV-infected persons with low red blood cell counts."

04/19/02

Reference
M Streiff and others. Peripheral blood count abnormalities among patients with hepatitis C in the United States. Hepatology 2002; 35:947-952.

Copyright 2002 by HIV and Hepatitis.com. All Rights reserved.

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Replies:

[> Re: Low Blood Counts from HIVandHepatitis.com -- karren, 00:59:27 04/28/02 Sun (HubX-mcr-24-95-111-59.midsouth.rr.com/24.95.111.59)

Thanks for the great article Susie. I always had low neutrophil counts but this explains why I became very anemic on tx within the first 2 weeks. Still on tx though and everything is getting better. I am a 1b or wanna be LOL!


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