Thrombocytopenia as a sensitive marker of immunologic activity in a patient with autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.

The case of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis in a 57-year-old female is reported. Onset was signalled by an abrupt and dramatic thrombocytopenia, which was also the only laboratory parameter able to monitor treatment and progression of the disease. It is concluded that thrombocytopenia together with the presence of antiplatelet-antibodies might be useful markers to monitor the treatment and evolution of the disease.