Review on therapeutic options in HIV associated thrombocytopenia with emphasis on i.v. immunoglobulin treatment.

Thrombocytopenia as a complicating event in human immunodeficiency infection is a rather common hematological disorder and in many aspects resembles idiopathic(immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Consequently, treatment of severe cases is similar to treating ITP, but steroids should be administered with particular caution in patients suffering from AIDS. Alternatives to steroids are considered in the present article with emphasis on intravenous immunoglobulin as a means to favourably influence the pathogenic events on the platelet surface.