Virus-mediated thrombocytopenia in Hepatitis C infection: The impact on fibrosis scores

Thrombocytopenia is a known complication of chronic liver disease that results from a myriad of mechanisms. The most commonly accepted hypotheses include the development of splenomegaly from portal hypertension with consequent hypersplenism (pooling and sequestration of blood cells), as well as a more central mechanism involving reduced production of thrombopoietin by the damaged liver leading to diminished thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow [1,2]. Thrombocytopenia is therefore assumed to be a direct expression of liver fibrosis in individuals with liver disease.
Source: Digestive and Liver Disease - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research