Platelet count response to Helicobacter pylori eradication for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in northeastern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated that platelet counts in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura improved significantly after successful eradication of the infection. However, depending of the geographical region of the study the results have been highly divergent. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy on platelet count in a cohort of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients from northeastern Brazil. METHOD: H. pylori status was determined in 28 chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients using the rapid urease test and histology. H. pylori-positive patients received standard triple therapy for one week. The effect of the eradication therapy was evaluated using the 13C-urea breath test two to three months after treatment. RESULTS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was similar to that found in the general population. Twenty-two patients (78.5%) were H. pylori-positive. Fifteen were treated, 13 (86%) of whom successfully. At six months, 4/13 (30%) displayed increased platelet counts, which remained throughout follow-up (12 months). Platelet response was not associated to mean baseline platelet count, duration of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, gender, age, previous use of medication, or splenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication therapy showed relatively low platelet recovery rates, comparable with previous studies from southeastern Brazil. The effect of H. pylori eradication on platelet counts remained after one year of follow-up suggesting that treating H. pylori infection might be worthwhile in a subset of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients.

Platelet count response to Helicobacter pylori eradication for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in northeastern Brazil

Abstract Background: Several studies have demonstrated that platelet counts in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura improved significantly after successful eradication of the infection. However, depending of the geographical region of the study the results have been highly divergent. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy on platelet count in a cohort of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients from northeastern Brazil. Method: H. pylori status was determined in 28 chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients using the rapid urease test and histology. H. pylori-positive patients received standard triple therapy for one week. The effect of the eradication therapy was evaluated using the 13C-urea breath test two to three months after treatment. Results: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was similar to that found in the general population. Twenty-two patients (78.5%) were H. pylori-positive. Fifteen were treated, 13 (86%) of whom successfully. At six months, 4/13 (30%) displayed increased platelet counts, which remained throughout follow-up (12 months). Platelet response was not associated to mean baseline platelet count, duration of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, gender, age, previous use of medication, or splenectomy. Conclusions: H. pylori eradication therapy showed relatively low platelet recovery rates, comparable with previous studies from southeastern Brazil. The effect of H. pylori eradication on platelet counts remained after one year of follow-up suggesting that treating H. pylori infection might be worthwhile in a subset of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients.

Púrpura trombocitopênica imunológica crônica e infecção pelo helicobacter pylori: respostaplaquetária ao tratamento de erradicação da bactéria

A Púrpura Trombocitopênica Imunológica Crônica (PTIc) é uma afecção causada por resposta auto-imune decorrente da sensibilização das plaquetas por auto anticorpos antiplaquetários, causando lise das plaquetas. A infecção pelo H. pylori tem sido mostrada como provável fator para o desenvolvimento de PTIc, com possível relação de resposta plaquetária na PTIc após o tratamento de erradicação da bactéria. O objetivo foi avaliar possíveis efeitos da erradicação do Helicobacter pylori no número de plaquetas dos pacientes com PTIc atendidos no Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio. Foram convidados a participar do estudo 29 pacientes com PTIc, 15 permaneceram e todos foram tratados para o H. pylori, sendo acompanhados por um período de 6 meses a um ano para a avaliação clínica e contagem de plaquetas. Todos realizaram endoscopia digestiva para diagnóstico da infecção e, após o tratamento, realizaram teste respiratório para confirmação da erradicação. Foi realizado PCR para averiguar a presença do gene cagA do H. pylori. Dos 15 pacientes tratados 01 (6,6%) era do gênero masculino e 14 (93,3%) foram do gênero feminino, a média de idade foi de 47,7 anos (27-68), O tempo médio de doença foi de 7,43 anos (1-25)...

The Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ITPc) is a condition caused by autoimmune response resulting awareness of platelets by self antiplatelet antibodies, causing lysis of platelets. Infection with H. pylori has been shown to likely factor for the development of PTIc, with possible platelet response relationship in PTIc after treatment of bacterial eradication. The objective was to evaluate possible effects of eradication of Helicobacter pylori in the number of platelets of patients with PTIC patients at the University Hospital Walter Cantídio. Were invited to participate in the study 29 patients with PTIc, 15 remained and all were treatedfor H. pylori and were followed for a period of 6 months to a year for clinical evaluation and platelet count. All patients underwent endoscopy for diagnosis of infection and, after treatment, held breath test to confirm eradication. PCR was performed forthe presence of H. pyloricagA gene. Of the 15 patients 01 (6.6%) were male and 14 (93.3%) were female, the mean age was 47.7 years (27-68), the mean disease duration was 7.43 years (1-25)...

Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients in northeastern Brazil by use of rapid urine-screening test.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication of cirrhotic patients with ascites. It has been proposed that the reagent strip for leukocyte esterase designed for the testing of urine (Combur test UX) could be a useful tool for diagnosing SPB. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of urine test strips for diagnosing SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study, at a university hospital in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Forty-two unselected consecutive cirrhotic patients (32 males; mean age: 51.7 +/- years) were included, and a total of 100 paracenteses were performed. All ascitic fluid samples were analyzed using the reagent strip and cytology, neutrophils, lymphocyte count, appropriate biochemical tests and culturing. The strips were considered positive if the color became purple on a colorimetric scale. RESULTS: Nine patients were diagnosed with SBP using cytology (> 250 neutrophils/mm(3)), and the strips were positive for all these nine patients with SBP. In one sample, the strip was positive but the neutrophil count was less than 250 cells/mm(3). For 86 samples, both the strips and cytology were negative. At the threshold of 250 neutrophils/mm(3) in ascitic fluid, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the strips were respectively 100%, 98.9%, 92.3% and 100%. CONCLUSION: The Combur test UX urine screening test is a very sensitive and specific method for diagnosing SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients in northeastern Brazil by use of rapid urine-screening test / Diagnóstico de peritonite bacteriana espontânea em pacientes cirróticos com o uso fita reagente para urinanálise no nordeste do Brasil

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication of cirrhotic patients with ascites. It has been proposed that the reagent strip for leukocyte esterase designed for the testing of urine (Combur test® UX) could be a useful tool for diagnosing SPB. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of urine test strips for diagnosing SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study, at a university hospital in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Forty-two unselected consecutive cirrhotic patients (32 males; mean age: 51.7 ± years) were included, and a total of 100 paracenteses were performed. All ascitic fluid samples were analyzed using the reagent strip and cytology, neutrophils, lymphocyte count, appropriate biochemical tests and culturing. The strips were considered positive if the color became purple on a colorimetric scale. RESULTS: Nine patients were diagnosed with SBP using cytology (> 250 neutrophils/mm³), and the strips were positive for all these nine patients with SBP. In one sample, the strip was positive but the neutrophil count was less than 250 cells/mm³. For 86 samples, both the strips and cytology were negative. At the threshold of 250 neutrophils/mm³ in ascitic fluid, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for the strips were respectively 100 percent, 98.9 percent, 92.3 percent and 100 percent. CONCLUSION: The Combur test® UX urine screening test is a very sensitive and specific method for diagnosing SBP in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Peritonite bacteriana espontânea (PBE) é uma freqüente e grave complicação em pacientes cirróticos com ascite. Vem sendo proposto o uso de fitas reagente para esterase leucocitária, utilizadas para diagnóstico de infecção urinária, como instrumento para diagnosticar PBE. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a sensibilidade e a especificidade da fita reagente Combur Test® UX no diagnóstico de PBE em pacientes cirróticos com ascite. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo prospectivo, realizado no Hospital Universitário Walter Cantídio, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e dois pacientes consecutivos, não selecionados (32 homens, com média de idade de 51,7 ± anos) foram incluídos e um total de 100 paracenteses foram realizadas. O líquido ascítico foi avaliado pela fita reagente (Combur Test® UX), citologia, contagem de neutrófilos, linfócitos, testes bioquímicos e cultura. As fitas reagentes foram consideradas positivas se havia mudança na cor para roxo na escala colorimétrica fornecida pelo fabricante. RESULTADOS: Foram diagnosticados nove pacientes com PBE pela citologia (> 250 neutrófilos/mm³), estando a fita Combur Test® UX positiva em todos os nove pacientes. Em uma amostra o teste da fita foi positivo, embora a contagem de neutrófilos fosse < 250 células/mm³. Nas outras 86 amostras ambos os testes foram negativos. Tendo-se como ponto de corte 250 PMN/mm³ no líquido ascítico, a sensibilidade, a especificidade, o valor preditivo positivo e o valor preditivo negativo foram respectivamente 100 por cento, 98,9 por cento, 92,3 por cento e 100 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: Combur Test® UX (fita reagente para urinanálise) é um método sensível e específico para o diagnóstico de PBE em pacientes cirróticos com ascite.