How is TTP associated with HIV?

Answer 1

It is not completely clear how HIV infection leads to TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura). The following are possible reasons for low thrombocyte (platelet) levels in HIV-infected individuals:

* decreased production of platelets due to various forms of damage to the bone marrow, e.g. infiltration by a tumor, infections, or direct HIV effects on the cells

* increased destruction of platelets due to, for example, hypersplenism or microangiopathy or antibodies to HIV that cross-react with proteins on the platelets TTP is a syndrome that consists of a number of features, one of which is low platelet levels. Fever (non-infectious), anaemia (due to haemolysis due to microangiopathy), neurological symptoms, and renal dysfunction are the other four symptoms that make up the five classic symptoms of TTP. In TTP, the low platelet levels are usually caused by spontaneous platelet aggregation and coagulation, which in turn are caused by various abnormalities of the small blood vessels.